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LIFE IS PRECIOUS
TAKING RISKS these days ain’t what it used to be. Most of us live close to civilization. If we were to take a tumble, emergency medical services…
… would be helping us, whisking us a away.
Within minutes.
I thought about that, plummeting down a lonely dirt road in the middle of nowhere.
Life and death.
About 90 years ago, my relatives were working a sawmill they’d built (see pic).
A young cousin was manning a large log,
the timber bucked,
catching him.
His leg was gashed.
The others gathered to try and help…
- · 50 miles to town
- · horrendous dirt roads
- · no communications, no helicopters
… but there was nothing they could do.
He was dead in minutes.
Prior to stopping at the sawmill site,
I gotta ping on my cell phone.
Service is spotty at best out here.
Our daughter had gone into labor,
they’d easily made it to the nearby hospital,
doctors and nurses and all the supplies were ready.
===
Update: mother and baby are happy and healthy!
===
165ish lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
700ish anti-oxidant level
not today Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
no today Lower Body: 15 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
167/168/-2 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE DIFFERENCE
KNOWING THE ORIGIN of things can be empowering if we can tie it into who we are and how we operate. But, in today's connected world...
... it's easy to operate unconsciously.
Asleep.
Which is why I've sold my rather large extended family on the virtues of trekking...
- no cell service
- rustic cabins
- tents
... out to the homestead.
Land my great great grandpappy lived on for 3 years to secure the title...
- where my grampa rode out the Spanish flu epidemic
- where my dad spend his summers cowboying
- where I spent a few days every other year
... over 100 years ago.
Some of the distant cousins still ranch,
most of us are city slickers.
Soft.
Unacquainted with the land.
How it...
- feels
- smells
- sounds
... when we're living unplugged.
You know what I'm getting at right?
The feeling we have when rolling with a group,
talking and sharing...
... because plugging in would distract from the experience.
Living.
===
164.4 lbs 12.7%
7ish hours sleep
700 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 50 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
171/193/-23 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
LOOKING BACK AT TRANSFORMATIONAL
[as I prep for my A race, I thought I'd look back how I felt the last time I did it, in 2022]
IT'S NOT FOR EVERYBODY, but it might be for you. I came across this concept a bunch of times over the years. It never really sunk in until I heard it stated like this...
... I increased my volume a lot.
Yeah, we've all heard that. However, what followed hit deeply into my thought process and ultimately my training...
... It has been transformational.
Who doesn't want to transform their training?
Let me pause right here.
It might not work for you. The main reason is the timing of life just isn't right. For me, it's working...
... because I now have the time.
When I had less time, and less focus, a big week for me was about 12 hours...
... an average week, about 8.
These days, in fact this year, my biggest week ever has been 20 hours...
... the last four build weeks have averaged nearly 15, and 12 the rest of the year.
That's nowhere the 20-30 hours most pros put in. In fact, it's a challenge during this build session before Leadville. Frankly, I'm happy in the 12 range. Plenty fit...
... by making my average week equal my formally biggest week.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/the-way-of-the-r-a-c-e-r
In the end, it's about doing all you can do...
... a topic I cover in the 2nd chapter of my book.
Which is free, just cover the shipping and handling.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/the-way-of-the-r-a-c-e-r
===
164.4 lbs 12.7%
7ish hours sleep
700 anti-oxidant level
not today Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
no today Lower Body: 15 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
175/223/-49 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
BAKING CAKES
HOW DO WE KNOW it's time to bring the high volume phase to an end, when preparing for the A race of the year? It's a lot like baking a cake...
... at some point we gotta put it the oven.
And, wait.
If we stretch out the build phase too long,
we run the very real possibility of over cookin' it...
... winding up burnt.
Crispy.
If we stop too far out from the A race,
well, then our training ingredients...
... might never rise.
Leaving us flat.
I'm sure there's some real science we could tap into,
or the wise voice of a trusted coach.
Barring those options, I lean toward...
- feeling exhausted
- not wanting to get outside
- residual, never-receding muskul pain
... as my top indicators.
I'm officially there.
Couldn't come at a better time.
I'll be spending an extended weekend...
- mainly talking
- hanging out
- relaxing
... at the family reunion.
Oh, that cake analogy...
... now is the time to give the training into deliciousness.
===
166.4 lbs 12.7%
7.5ish hours sleep
750 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 15 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
170/201/-32 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO BE STRONG
THE TOUR DE FRANCE took a big tumble today. Jonas, running in 2nd place, a previous winner and excellent bike handler failed to navigate a very tricky turn...
... and broke his clavicle.
Sucks.
Before the news hit, enlightening us all to one potential factor in causing him to go down...
... I was already thinking about why some crashes happen.
More importantly, why some hit the deck and shatter, while others...
... pop back up and keep racing.
My thoughts were self-centered of course.
The effort to do hundreds of...
- pushups
- pullups
- squats
... building up my body's ability to handle what is thrown at me, late into a ride or race?
It feels like it is,
as I feel in complete control 5 hours into a stout offroad ride.
At the same time,
am I putting body in a state where it is more likely to bend vs break?
These thoughts were going through my head as the skin and bones Jonas was clearly in massive pain.
Then, I heard the unthinkable.
After traveling hundreds of kilometers from yesterday's race to today's,
arriving very late in the evening...
... he was awakened for a drug test at 2am.
No matter what we are doing to keep our bodies in top shape to handle the demands of racing...
... missing sleep when we are already exhausted is a formula for disaster.
===
164.4 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
730 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 100 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 24 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
174/228/-55 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHY, IT'S ROUTINE
IN THE QUEST TO SQUEEZE IT ALL IN, we learn to develop and rely on routines. Do something consistently, and it becomes rote. Boring in the sense that...
... we don't have to think about it.
Saving us all kinds of mental energy, as well.
Here are a few examples that made today's ride, much better.
20 minutes into my 2 hour sprint to meet Smiley, I felt my rear tire losing a ton of air...
- added air with CO2
- noticed a leak
- plugged it
... took less than 60 seconds to diagnose and repair.
Thought I'd better text him to confirm my ETA, and noticed I'd left my phone at home.
Doh!
But, I have a reputation for being on time and it's routine for me not to wait, so...
- I pressed on
- arrived at Cook's at 9
- didn't see him there, waited 2 minutes at the trailhead
... and we blasted the climb together.
Mostly together,
he always starts out hotter than me,
becoming my top rabbit to chase and pace.
When I rolled up to the general store for my Saturday fix, 4.5 hours into the ride, parched and empty, without my phone to pay...
- popcicle
- Mexican Coke
... I didn't have to beg, because they know my m.o. and that I'm good for it.
And, that's just a smidge of routine evidence for operational mastery.
Carry on.
Oh, and in case your wondering...
- a mini tool
- 2 CO2s + 1 nozzle
- Dynaplug RacerPro (4 plugs)
... what's in my mini raceday bag.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedal-industries-mini-raceday-bag-2-0-isd
===
166 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none todayLower Body: 10 ATG air squats and 24 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
178/263/-86 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
>
PRUNE, FOCUS, EXECUTE
HOW WE ARRIVED AT OUR CURRENT LEVEL OF COMPETENCY is a matter of choice. And, that's the challenge. In a world where we can do anything...
... it's easy to reach the end of the day having done nothing.
We know better.
Starting with pruning the options...
- uplifting
- challenging
- beneficial to others
... leaving only the good stuff.
Then, we focus...
- attracting
- believing
- feeling
... with the blinders on, seeing only our end goal.
Executing daily...
... continuously improving.
Very nice you say,
but make it practical.
Ok.
Here's an example.
I really enjoy racing and riding my XC mountain bike.
Knowing that, I've built up a race-ready rig...
... and taken it to the next level.
Most recently, that meant rebuilding the suspension...
- removing the Brain
- replacing a bunch of parts
- and all new lubes and fluids
... which now is supremely supple and plush, fork and shock.
When we are unwilling to prune, focus and execute...
... we are in our comfort zone.
The case there would be comfort with absolute crap vs...
... demanding the best performance we can aquire.
Got it?
===
165lbs 12.7%
7ish hours sleep
610 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none todayLower Body: 10 ATG air squats and 24 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
161/169/-9 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IT'S NOT BRAIN SURGERY?
AT A CERTAIN LEVEL, the set up of our equipment is highly personal. The reason is simple, we are putting in a massive amount of time. And, the minutest adjustment...
... can muck it all up.
A lot.
Leading to anything from a niggle to a...
... Screw it, I'm done with this sport.
So it was with great care that a swapped out my cleats today.
They weren't completely warn out, but they were a little sloppy and replacing them now vs a week before my A race seemed prudent.
I scrubbed up...
- pictures had been taken of the current position
- the area around the cleats taped off
- tools and lube lay at the ready
... put on my operating apron.
The procedure went as expected,
no complication.
The patient was warned to take it easy the next few days,
and expect to feel some initial discomfort.
Physical therapy, in the form of bringing a torque wrench on the next few rides, was presribed.
Like the idiot I am, I promptly headed out for 90 minutes and a fair amount of climbing...
... stopping for many adjustments.
Got close to the old position,
gonna take a few more rides to reach nirvana.
PS... if this seems dramatic, or overkill, blame my dad burning this lesson into my young impressionable mind. his first lawyering job was as a malpractice attorney and the first case was defending a doctor who cut off the wrong leg.
===
163.6 lbs 12.7%
7ish hours sleep
6800 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 10 ATG air squats and 24 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
164/192/-28 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
I SCREAM
DURING THE LARGEST BUILD PHASE, the miles and hours are waywayway bigger than our norm. It can be daunting, overwhelming...
... we need a reward.
Beyond kudos.
Something to see us through.
Which is exactly what I was thinking today,
halfway through what will like be my biggest week of the year.
Building for Leadville.
The route would be much longer than my usual Dirty Wednesday...
... and it hit my like a icy bolt from the Silver Surfer.
If I stayed on the pedals,
I'd have time to stop by the General Store.
A hundred year old building I usually only visit on Saturdays.
The point being...
... the always have the best selection of Mexican popsicles.
I was flooded with a memory of my dad, and his favorite saying...
... I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream.
And that was all I needed to get me through the summer heat.
Today.
What will it be tomorrow?
165.4 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
730 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 110 push ups, 22 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 110 ATG air squats and 24 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
167/217/-50 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THIS IS 'A' SUPER COOL CAT
MOST OF US DON'T KNOW THE HISTORY of the famous group rides. I'm not talking about the one 5 locals started a couple of months back...
... I'm talkin' the legendary loops.
And, their morphing iterations over the years.
I was reminded of how our heralded TMWC...
... took it to the next level by adding some extra credit.
Called the A loop.
About 10 years ago, Super Dave Koesel made a great suggestion.
We should add on to the ride.
Why?
So we have something to do vs waiting for the guys at the regroup.
It took us a few iterations,
carving our way through a neighborhood,
adding on two punchysprinty climbs.
Finally, we had it perfected,
arriving just in time to meet the crew...
... and keep rolling full gas.
Plus, since we had just started cracking the hour on the original TMWC, back then...
... now we had an updated hour goal.
We've hit it on the A loop multiple times,
even got closer than we've been lately today, 1:02:54 (for me)...
... could it be because Super Dave was back in town, after years of being gone?
===
ICYMI... Super Dave is an aero genius... Remember when 3T came out with their aero gravel bike, years before that was a thing?... yeah, that was Dave's project.
Here's a link to his current company... look to see top secret versions of these bikes at the Olympics.
===
167 lbs 12.7% (I keep telling myself I'm 10lbs over goal because of all the strength work, but we all know it's because
7ish hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 10 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
166/216/-50 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THAT SONG!
WE AIN'T SERIOUS if we don't have a our own battle song. The one we can count on when...
... well, all the time.
Could be a playlist.
Mine, current fave for firing up...
... Born To Run, Frankie Goes To Hollywood version
On repeat.
Now Chuck shared a forgotten gem with me for raceday...
... Kickstart My Heart, by Motley Crew.
Surfergirl on vacation...
... Don't Disturb This Grove, by The System
To get pumped for motos in the desert the kids loved...
... Animals, by Nickleback
When I head off to the pearly gates, my beatbox will be humming...
... Low Rider, by War.
What's yours?
===
166.4 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
5900 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 100 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 20 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
159/181/-22 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IS IT THE EFFORT THAT COUNTS?
WHEN TRAINING FOR THE 'A' RACE, if we're really all in, it's imperative that we prepare by doing the work demanded by the course. That means we have to nail the pace...
... we can sustain.
Or do we?
Lemme splainit.
Say, I'm training for a punchy event with lots of power climbs...
... short 1-5 minutes, repeating.
I could do intervals at a specified power output...
... or I could go for the burn I know I can barely handle for 1-5 minutes.
Or, take my upcoming Leadville MTB race, I know the pace I need to sustain to meet my goal finishing time.
Training the effort required...
... is part art and part science.
The science might say we need to put out an average of X watts...
- getting over a steep, short pitch
- hustling to catch a group
- tucking a long downhill
... the art is knowing when to go above or below the power needed.
Being intimately aware of the effort > callous commitment to pace.
===
165 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
640 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 100 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
163/209/-46 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THIS IS POLARZING
THE DEBATE RAGES ON, whether or not polarized training is valuable for the unwashed or is it just for the uber elites putting in bigbig hours. To really get a grasp on the argument...
... let's look at from other perspectives.
Take marketing.
In marketing, we tout what makes us special, unique, desirable...
... while pointing out the enemies of our awesomeness.
For example, when it comes to bags I might communicate dome bags with everything piled inside are just complete trash and chaos...
... where as our RaceDay bags make raceday smooth, easy and successful.
In politics, the party we align with makes the others out to be stupid, incompetent and evil...
... where our party is full of benevolent geniuses.
It's the same with...
- religion
- sports teams
- abortion, climate change, guns, borders, etc
... topics never to be brought up at Thanksgiving dinner.
What does this have to do with training and us?
I'm just trying to set the stage....
- too much time in tempo
- not enough aggregate training
- inadequate or non-existent recovery
... polarized training has enemies, too.
I was thinking about that today,
because I had a great day with the fellas.
Here's how I set it up...
- Monday Z1
- Tuesday romping group ride, all zones all out
- Wednesday high Z2
- Thursday low Z2
- Friday Z1, barely tapping the pedals
- Saturday, 6 hours at Leadville pace with nearly 2 hours at threshold or above
... finishing the final ride, feeling pretty darn good despite 9000' in 80 miles.
If you disagree...
... then, I have succeeded in providing you some polarizing thoughts on polarization.
===
165.4 lbs 12.7% <- this blubber has got to go!
7.5ish hours sleep
600 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 10 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 20 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
167/241/-74 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IT'S GOING TO BE HIDDI
TRAINING FOR AN EPIC ride or race is always tricky. It's so easy to over do it on the preparation when we want to be confident that we are ready...
... to go the distance.
Battle hardened.
So, when I put together tomorrow's route and added...
... It's going to be hideous.
I had to ask myself...
... What the heck are you thinking?!
This goes against my plan to prepare for Leadville this year by staying under
- 5 hrs
- 8000'
- 80 miles
... fresh and not torched.
Aiming for more power,
and efficiency.
We're going to over every one of those metrics tomorrow,
plus it's a group of hitters and we'll be hitting it.
Yes, I could pull the plug,
or just not show.
But, who are we kidding when we say stuff like that?
(Hideous rides call to my soul. How 'bout you?)
===
164.4 lbs 12.5%
7ish hours sleep
680 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 10 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 20 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
152/152/-1 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHAT WE ARE
LOOKING WHERE WE WANT TO GO takes great discipline. Not to be distracted by the lady in the red dress is...
... a skill that deserves mastery.
It's not easy.
Time and time again, ripping the course, we have to ignore the obvious perils and...
... stay focused on our goal.
Going as fast as possible,
error free.
Oddly,
limiting our vision to the best path forward is relaxing.
Calming.
Requiring less energy.
Ultimately, a heckuvalot faster.
So, we practice the skill all the time and when we have those Oh shift! moments...
... we forgive ourselves, and reset.
Perhaps the great Emerson said it best...
... What we are, that only can we see.
===
164.4 lbs 12.5%
7.5ish hours sleep
530 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 10 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 20 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
90/98/-8 per Strava
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
>
THE SLIGHT EDGE
BECAUSE WE USE OUR GEAR every day, we don't always notice the performance is degrading. It's gradual, and we are...
... more concerned with our own numbers.
But, the gear matters.
If we remember anything from the dominance of Team Sky it's...
... marginal gains.
They matter.
Not necessarily individually,
collectively they stack and become game changers.
So are the marginal losses.
I share this as a cautionary tale.
While in Park City a few weeks back,
bombing miles and miles of sweet single track...
... my fork went from finicky to very funked up
My pal Chad helped me get it working enough to enjoy the trip.
As soon as I returned, I rang up the local suspension whiz Mike and gave him the situation.
He ordered parts from Sram to rebuild and improve the fork by replacing the Brain.
Simple enough,
and 7 weeks before Leadville.
Dropped off the bike Monday, planning to have it back for the weekend and continue to perfect my oneness with my steed.
Hey Todd.
Hi Mike.
We gotta small problem.
Uh-oh.
Sram sent the wrong parts.
Dang.
Yeah, it's gonna be another 10 days.
Is the suspension torn to pieces?
Yes.
Ok, I understand.
Now, here's the part we all need to understand...
- we need to stay on top of the maintenance
- allow plenty of time for parts to arrive
- and for the mechanic's schedule
... in order to have the slight edge we need on raceday.
===
165.8 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
530 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 125 push ups, 25 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 125 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
91/103/-10 per Strava
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
2026 TUESDAY MORNING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS WERE LIT
ABOUT THE MOST FUN we can have is upping our game for the weekly group ride. The good ones all have memorable names. Just saying them sparks...
... anything from fear to fun.
Like The TMWC.
A ride we started 24 years ago...
- 30+ riders every Tuesday at 630
- most wearing the ride's kit
- with an annual throwdown
... and is still ripping today.
Today wasn't any ol Tuuzdee...
- the regulars
- the outta towners
- the first timers hoping to hang on
... it was the unOFFICIAL 2026 Championships.
4 categories...
- Women
- U35
- U50
- U100
... racing for glory.
Bragging rights for a year.
The course has never changed, but...
- fullgas from the start
- even paced 'till The Wall
- saving it all for the Corkscrew finish
... the raceday never plays out the same.
Today unfolded with bouts of massive power,
dropping to conversational,
and back at it.
The only thing that was the same was Alessandro...
... pulling off the first Threepeat.
He was so far off the front the camera crew mistook him as some cat who happened upon the course...
... except he raced up The Wall with god-like speed.
Put over a minute on lil' ol' me,
and nearly everyone else.
Insane.
Priscilla crushed the women's field,
snatching longstanding, legit QOMs.
It's not all about the wins, though.
Juan was voted most-improved,
and Eric picked up rookie of the year.
These aren't participation trophies ...
... they represent outstanding effort, week after week.
Congrats to these cats....
Overall
Alessandro
Kody
Andrew
Women
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Still reading?
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===
166 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
640 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 90 push ups, 18 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 112 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
90/100/-10 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHO HAS THE BEST TdF ANALYSIS?
THERE ARE A LOT of professional pundits pontificating the particulars of each stage of the Tour de Frants. Then, there's the amachurs. Us handlebar hams...
... handing out our homemade takes.
Who's best?
Certainly it's not Velo's...
Jonas Vingegaard was left choking in Pogi's exhaust and came to the line two seconds back after the 1.7km hilltop kick to Les Angles.
... latest retarded hyperbole.
Cycling News' take...
A devastatingly-long and sustained acceleration by Tadej... with a two-second advantage.
... wasn't much of an improvement.
Jonas said it better...
It's a shame, of course. But when we started the Tour, we expected to lose time... so it's a good starting point that I'm tied on time with Tadej.
... and more accurately.
But, he's not selling ads for eyeballs.
My eyeballs and ears like to take in...
- Chris Horner for pointing out the knucklehead moves of the day
- Lance's podcast for the entertainment
- GCN's breathy and breasty euroness
... if I have the time.
And then there's NBC's crew...
- I do feel for Brent and TJ having to educate the unwashed with silly cartoons and goofy bets
- No way I could ride the sissybar like Christian or do the man on the course stuff like Steve
- Amid correcting, Bobke does a good job as the straight man
-
Phil may miss a few deets, but that voice is still gold to me
... collecting a solid paycheck.
Nothing wrong with that.
For actual, pure analysis...
- concise
- relatable
- insightful
... I think Tom Danielson does it best.
He delivers it via blog, vlog and podcast.
You're probably thinking Nice job taking potshots at people just trying to do their jobs...
... to which I'll counter, I'm grateful we have so many real human points of view vs the AI slop sure to come our way.
Links to Tom's work:
https://cinchcycling.cc/blogs/news/tour-de-france-stage-3-tadejs-boxing-match
===
166 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
610 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 90 push ups, 18 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 112 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
87/81/5 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHAT ABOUT WHEN IT'S NOT WORKING
MOST OF US have a test course, a segment that is our fitness barometer, where we lay down a valiant effort, then upload it...
... to see where we're at.
Sometimes years of data points.
When we're prepping for the A race we'll hit it hard.
The results are instructive...
- PR'd it
- on track
- woefully wanting
... from elation to devastation.
Gratefully, it's usually good and confirming info.
But, what about when it isn't?
Like my Leadville prep test up a similar climb to Columbine...
- 1:10 in May
- 1:14 in June
- 1:15 in July
... which is honestly, quite discouraging?
The May effort I was waiting for my friends,
in June I was chasing all the way,
in July I went alone.
July's effort was the shortest
June's was much longer,
May's the longest.
Big takeaway...
... my fitness is going backwards.
So, find the positives...
- I'm descending better than I have since the TBI
- the nutrition plan seems to be on point
- the bike is nearly complete
... and make adjust ments.
I still have 7 weeks to turn it around...
- stop shredding my legs with weight training
- get back to throttling Saturdays
- stack the Zone 2 miles
... and I have some definite ideas on how to do that.
Will it work?
I dunno.
What won't work is quitting.
Thoughtful, calculated perseverance is always the right answer.
===
165.6 lbs 12.6%
7.5ish hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 150 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 112 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
88/87/1 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
HALF THE FREEDOM
WE KNOW where the 50% mark is on the course. The distance. The estimated time it takes to get there. The food we'll need to arrive and...
... finish with good energy.
But, is that enough?
Knowing vs doing,
totally different things.
The first half of 2026 is gone.
For some, it flew right by.
Others...
- bored
- unengaged
- beset by challenges
... had a different experience.
We are free to stay the course, or...
- 10x goals
- Committed mindset work
- Severing whatever is holding us back
... recalibrate and blow everyone's minds (ours included).
God, bless America.
===
Nowza good time to crack that journal open and document the amazing things we've accomplished to date.
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard
Let's rip!
===
164 lbs 12.6%
8ish hours sleep
530 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 60 push ups, 12 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 112 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
88/88/0 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
GUITY AS CHARGED
THE EVIDENCE IS OVERWHELMING, there is no defense for the flagrant violations of society's norm...
... we've got a problem.
And, we don't care.
It's who we are...
- city limit sign? let's race
- KOM within reach? let's race
- event 700 miles away? let's race
... we're constantly on the lookout for our tribe.
We rarely watch sportsball,
we'll watch a TdF stage start to finish.
We do find comfort in the couch,
after an absurdly long day outside ripping.
We do devour ice cream and cookies,
but only when the calorie deficit is irredeamable.
We aren't normal...
... we're race junkies.
===
If that resonates,
you might want this shirt,
which I'm pretty sure we priced wrong at $20.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/race-junky-classic-t-shirt-fe
I'll fix the price after the holiday.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/race-junky-classic-t-shirt-fe
===
165 lbs 12.6%
7ish hours sleep
680 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 60 push ups, 12 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 112 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
89/96/-7 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
BROKE OR BROKEN?
IT'S AMAZING what we're willing to put up with. I suspect it's just in our nature and probably why...
... we thrive at the endurance game.
We tune it out.
And, here's the dill.
Pretending things aren't the way they are...
... can be demoralizing.
Yesterday, I had my cracked front windshield replaced on the van.
It wasn't huge,
but it was slowly growing,
ever since our trip to Sea Otter.
Neighbor Rick came out to chat and asked me why I replaced it.
Honestly?
Yeah.
It was making me feel poor.
The thingaboutitis, if I'd had the rock chip fixed immediately...
... the cost would have been minimal.
Which begs the question...
... what are we allowing to languish and bring us (our performance) down?
===
166.4 lbs 12.4%
8ish hours sleep
610 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 150 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 150 ATG air squats and 36 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
90/104/-14 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
MY EXCUSE FOR NOT BEING ON PEPTIDES
THE TEMPTATION to tap the pharmacy is getting realer every day. Call it the effects of the human genome project or clever marketing...
... lotsa people on the train.
I've been surprised.
Just in the last month or so, some of my much younger (30s and 40s) and generally healthy friends...
- trimmer
- slimmer
- sexier?
... have let me know their results from peptides.
They aren't athletes who compete,
just dudes wanting a better bod.
My response is always the same.
Dang...
... I can't do that because I'm a racer.
I know...
- the likelihood of getting tested is practically nil
- the evidence of peptides disappears quickly
- the help they deliver is real
... but, I'll know.
So I push on in the land of...
- working hard
- eating clean
- getting rest
... and I'm quite okay with that.
===
165.8 lbs
7 hours sleep
540 anti-oxidant level
not today Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
not today Lower Body: 150 ATG air squats and 36 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
90/104/-14 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
RIDE WITH YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOU WOULD RIDE WITH YOURSELF
EVERY NOW AND AGAIN we get an insight that touches our hearts and when we try and explain it to others they just don't get it. Not their fault. We just need an analogy...
... we can all relate to.
Try this one.
I'll do my best to share the change of heart I had recently...
- a homeless woman sitting on the corner of a busy sidewalk in front of a food court
- people, me included, waiting for the light to change
- ignoring her sad, red eyes like they didn't exist.
... it wasn't my finest moment.
We're all rich.
I'm on a stupidly expensive bike,
but no cash on me,
gazing ahead.
Ignoring the obvious hurt and loneliness.
I was ashamed...
... of my inability to see the once beautiful baby at my feet.
What would it have cost to acknowledge her?
And it hit my heart so hard...
... Love they neighbor as thyself.
Finally I got it,
and I'll do my best to share it with you.
If we really loved our neighbors as ourselves we might...
- be a little nicer, kinder more patient
- genuinely ask how they are, if they need a hand
- we might hold the bar a little lower or a little higher, out of love
... not the awkward, stumbling empathy that paralyzes us.
Genuine desire to help others as ourselves out knowing that...
- if we were raised differently
- made regrettable choices
- had terrible experiences
... but for the grace of God go I.
It reminds me of my good friend Todd Darley, a better Todd than I, who always rolls out with food.
One day we're ripping up Mulholland with a spicy group, gonna PR it...
... and Todd disappears.
Where'd you go?
Stopped to talk to the homeless hiker?
What?
Yeah, wanted to make sure he was okay. Gave him a bagel I had.
Last Saturday, a dude in a pick up with a trailer full of tools pulled up to me and Chad and flipped us the bird...
... I laughed and asked myself Now why would I do that? Having a bad day? PTSD from cyclists?
I'll never know that dude's literal problem...
... just hoping this change of heart stays with me forever.
===
165.4 lbs
8 hours sleep
630 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
not today Lower Body: 150 ATG air squats and 36 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
88/91/-3 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IS THIS CODDLING?
WE'VE ALL HAD to face the unbearable hot situations. Sometimes in training, others in a race. But, that's the thing...
... we've all had to face them.
That's life.
So, when the geniuses at Velo led with Extreme Heat Could Force Radical Rethink of the Tour de France...
... I sighed.
Stop the coddling.
They're professionals.
Then Surfergirl chimed in...
- 2013 Tour of California
- 4pm finish
- 114º
... But, remember Palms Springs.
We started early and rode the stage ahead of the pros.
Dropping down into the desert floor was like riding into a giant hair dryer.
Oppressive and awful.
My son and I staggered into a 7-11 and chugged giant Slurpees...
... finally lowering our body temps to be able to ride to the finish.
The pros came in and literally collapsed on the sizzling black and gooey tarmac.
She had a point.
It was horrific.
After wading through the Velo clickbait I discovered the "radical rethink" just meant considering starting the races at 9:30 vs the typical much later starts that finish in the hottest time of the afternoon.
You know the real tragedy isn't the coddling, it's that...
... I won't be able to go for an early spin and watch the race finish live.
I'm sure I'll find a "radical rethink" of my entertainment consumption.
===
163.4 lbs
9 hours sleep
690 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 150 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 150 ATG air squats and 36 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
89/99/-10 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
MOVING THE COMFORT ZONE
IT CAN BE PERPLEXING to know a truth from personal experience, to share it because we care, and see it not be received...
... because it's scary.
Like ripping downhill.
I have a few friends who are training for a big event with me.
There will be a fair amount of climbing,
followed by a fair amount of descending.
None of it...
- steep double-track
- wide open hardpack
- a bit of chunky rocky stuff
... will give most mountain bikers any trouble.
Unless we're racing,
really going for it.
Even then, most will be fine...
... but, they could be so much better.
And here's the headscratcher...
... I can't get them to ride much harder trails in preparation.
They protest,
avoid,
skip.
Because I'm absolutely failing to ride home the point that learning to rip more challenging trails now...
- steeper
- chunkier
- twistier and slicker
... will move the comfort zone.
Moving the comfort zone means we are...
- more efficient
- relaxed
- calm
... saving all kinds of physical and emotional energy.
While others bog down with Oh shift! moments, we can turn those sections into...
- recovery
- relaxation
- moments of bliss
... something to look forward to, and potentially gain/make up time.
If we're into that.
I am.
You?
(Where else are we too fraidy catty to move the comfort zone?)
===
163.6 lbs
7.5 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
none Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
91/114/-23 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
BUT, DOES HE REALLY CARE (NOW)?
ON RACEDAY it's fair to say nothing else matters but the race. The training, the fine-tuning, the sacrifices...
... they're all coming together.
We need to rip.
But, when it's all said and done...
... should anybody, ourselves included, really care?
Take a dude I heard about...
- inspired and helped millions of cancer patients to believe they had a chance
- single-handedly lifted a dying sport getting legions to pedal
- operator of a massively popular podcast
- successful investor and businessman
- father of five children
... does he really care that he's not recognized as winning 7 TdFs?
For all you haters that are now triggered, the unsubscribe button is above and below.
For the open minded, contemplating our own mortality and personal achievements...
- family
- race wins
- inspiring and helping others
... what would you prefer?
===
164 lbs
7.5 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
none Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
87/93/-6 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of The Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all things marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
INNOVATION THROUGH IGNORANCE
IGNORANCE AND IGNORANT are such ugly words. And don't even speak ignoramus. Referring to anybody with those words...
... is just plain mean spirited.
Ain't gonna make ya friends.
Yet, the truth is, many of personal innovations come from ideas...
- never heard of
- never thought of
- never been exposed to
... we were completely ignorant to.
Here are a few of mine...
- swimming to control breathing
- lift heavy, low reps
- sprints for power
... that have helped improve over the years.
The swimming one I came up with on my own when training for Leadville in the early days. I wanted to control my breathing and keep my breaths deep.
The lift heavy, low reps I learned from one of the great Phil Mafetone books. He only pioneered Zone 2 training coaching Mark Allen to become the most complete and dominating triathlete of his era.
Lift heavy, low reps was also heavily preached in the fascinating book Underground Secrets To Faster Running, by Barry Ross.
Sprints for power came from the awesome Fred Duncan, a premiere track coach.
The idea that we are born to be athletic and should treat our bodies as such came through loud and clear in Christopher McDougall's book Natural Born Heroes.
I could go on...
- crusty old curmudgeons calling me out
- lessons learned through experience
- defeats whose sting was wicked
... but that's not the point.
The point is we've got to continually expose ourselves to new ideas and concepts and experiences in order to...
... keep innovating and growing.
Spiritually. Mentally. Physically. Socially.
===
1664 lbs
8 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
88/102/-14 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE VISION BORED
VISION WHILE RACING isn't everything, but it's right up there with oxygen. We gotta breathe, we gotta see...
... to move forward.
I was thinking about that today while zipping down a twisty trail.
If I let my eyes start to focus on what's up close...
... my speed drops and I become much more reactive.
When I'm focused far ahead...
... I go much faster, slipping into a state of flow and things are magically easier.
The thing I was thinking about was my vision board.
Mulling over the things already accomplished, as well as what is in the works.
The vision board seems to work the same way...
... focusing on the outcome, not how I'm going to get there.
Some of you may be thinking Dude is nuts,
others nodding your heads That's right.
Either way, I'll leave you with this thought from King Salomon...
... Where there is no vision, the people perish.
===
166.2 lbs
8 hours sleep
620 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 100 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
89/108/-19 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
TUCK AND ROLL!
AERO. The term is like a science fiction blob that oozes it's way into everything, eventually killing everything in sight and taking over the world...
... with no end of it's pervasiveness in site.
Can we escape the creepiness?
The thingaboutitis, once we go slip down the aero tube...
- positioning
- equipment
- apparel
... it's almost impossible to stop.
That list falls short of the whackiness...
- hands on the mtb fork crowns at Leadville
- hydration bladders stuffed in front of jersey
- dropper seat post for bombing road descents
... which actually works.
I was thinking about that this morning as I crested The Wall, about 15 seconds behind the leaders.
Pedaling till I was spun out...
- butt hooked on end of saddle
- hands next to the stem
- chin on the Wahoo
- elbows in
- knees in
... I assumed the position (I'm not a butt on seat tube believer).
Would I, could I catch before the bottom?
Being on my lessthanaero gravel bike...
- spun out with gravel gears
- rolling shallow depth road wheels
- rockin' a well ventilated KASK helmet
... I needed every aero advantage I could get.
After rolling up on the 3 in between the two leaders...
... we rotated, taking short and speedy pulls.
It took forever to catch,
all the way to the final curve.
I'm already thinking about next week...
- actual aero helmet
- clean shave on the legs, face, arms(?)
- and, yeah, gonna bust out the Speedsuit
... what else I can do to improve my aeroness.
On my previous road bike, I clocked 51 mph...
... today's set up shows 47.4 mph.
Tuesday can't some soon enough.
===
168 lbs
7 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
no Upper Body: 150 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 70lbs
89/113/-24 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
CUI BONO?
THERE ARE A LOT OF DEALS that get cut on the race course. Some are obvious, some hidden. Many between competitors...
... for money, glory and pride.
The worst deal of all?
Well, that depends on Cui bono?...
... Who benefits?
Deals between competitors kindasuck, but...
- hang on for camera glory
- work to stay in break
- straight cash
... we can usually tell who benefits,
and who pays.
No, the most insidious deals...
- staying up late
- backing off the finishing sprint
- starting the new diet "tomorrow"
... are the ones we cut with ourselves.
Because nobody benefits,
'cepting our competitors.
===
167.4 (Happy Fatter's Day - sheesh!)
8 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 150 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 60lbs
85/90/-6 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
MY INSANE CULT
FEW OF US HAVE BEEN TO AN AA MEETING, but we've seen TV/movie version many times. Hi, I'm Todd and...
... I'm an endurance junkie.
Hi Todd.
When we come clean with the general population, Today I...
- swam 10,000 yards
- rode for 5 hours
- ran 20 miles
... they think we're crazy.
We're not.
The adrenaline rush of ...
- 60 miles an hour in nothing but lycra
- the swimmers blue mind
- the runner's high
... we need that hit.
Regularly.
This risks we take...
- sending it down the mountain
- running along into the cold, dark night
- impossibly holding our breath one more length
... would freakout any life insurance company.
These sensations of pushing well beyond normal, reasonable, safe...
... are often all that's keeping us stable.
In all sincerity, because the allure of the lottery and dulling our senses with substances is so very tempting and tragically treacherous...
... stay dangerous my friends.
The sane kind.
===
164.6
7.5 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 60 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: `100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 60lbs
86/98/-12 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
TODAY WAS A ROUGHIE
SOME BIG TRAINING DAYS are better than others. The reasons are myriad. Which means when it goes sideways...
... it's up to us to figure it out.
Like today.
I knew it was going to be a big day...
- 7 hrs
- 87 miles
- 10,500' of vert
... on Monday.
There are only 8 weeks to get our Leadville legs, and me and Let's Go need(ed) to do some simulation.
For me,
today,
I just never got comfortable.
Never felt that feeling of being on top of the pedals and...
... smoothly moving like a Singer sewing machine.
It was much more like a broke down pumpjack one might see in the hot and dusty oil fields of Bakersfield...
... in desperate need of lube and love.
Clunk.
Clunk.
Clunk.
I've narrowed it down to a few things...
- going too deep on Thursday after solid Tuesday and Wednesday
- rolling the gravel wheels vs road wheels on Friday's BRO ride
- hitting the legs with resistance Sunday-Thursday
... and I should know better.
I'm gonna add to that...
- probs too much tire pressure
- def hotter today than our last attempt
- carrying a third bottle to be safe on hydration
... some I can control, some I can't.
In the end, I think it really comes down to not being sufficiently recovered.
On a positive note, given the fatigue level...
... we averaged 12.7 mph with zero drafting over a similar profile to Leadville.
Not bad.
Not great.
But, we can work with that.
Oh, and I'm feeling quite extra speedy on the downhills.
Time for...
- In-N-Out burger, fries and shake
- some good sleep
- and a day off
... to set the pins up to be knocked down next week.
===
164.6
7.5 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: `0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs
89/113/-25 per Strava (someone's tired!)
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THAT TOPSECRET SECRET
THE IDEA OF A PUBLIC DECLARATION is not new. Lots of people have proclaimed they will accomplish X goal and gone on to do just that...
... because it works.
There is a hitch.
The haters,
the perceived haters,
hating the idea of haters.
There are plenty of famous athletes who have made the call and fallen flat on their face...
... sometimes by knockout.
Which is why most of keep our plans secret,
denying ourselves the power therein.
I'm onboard with that.
There is also power in keeping our intentions unknown.
Wherein lies another hitch.
If we're posting our stats with the Strava lords,
that might be considered a passive-aggressive statement.
Which begs the question...
... if we're keeping our mouths shut, do we keep our training private?
Personally, I'm open book on that, except for my top secret racing agenda which scrawled in code...
... on my vision board.
===
164.6
7iah hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 30 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: `0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs
83/84/1 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IMAGINE THAT!
WHEN WE WERE CHILDREN, can ya even remember that?, we had tremendous imaginative powers. From games to friends to travel to faraway places...
... our lives were boundless.
What happened?
Did reality set in?
Did we set conditions on our dreams?
Did some kind old bag of wind tell us not to have our heads in the clouds?
The thingaboutitis...
... when we register for an event or race, all bets are off.
We've already imagined...
- the trainging
- the equipement
- the travel and accomodations
... to start.
More importantly, if we're really on our A game, and you and I are!...
... we can see the finish line, and exactly how we'll be at that moment.
Which isn't child's play.
It's actually...
- life
- business
- relationships
... how doers get it done!
As I'm writing this I'm reminded of the gloves I wore today...
and the shirt I'm wearing right now
This is gonna be a total marketing faux pas because we're neverever supposed to make too many offers, but...
... I imagine more than a few of you will want this reminder to Rip!
Order the Gloves, get the Shirt for FREE.
Use this code: LET'SRIP
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lets-rip-buy-t-get-gloves-for-free
===
162.6
8 hours sleep
670 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 30 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 30 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs
85/91/-7 per Strava
What I'm reading: 7 Powers, The Foundations of Business Strategy, Hamilton Helmer
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
EMBRACING THE BURN, DAILY/OFTEN
WE'VE ALL FELT THE BURN. Some of us love it, some of us hate it. No matter where we are on the spectrum...
... the burn is coming for us.
Is it minimizable?
Maybe.
If yesterday is any indicator, I may have stumbled upon something.
For the last few weeks, I've been steadily increasing my ATG air squats.
From reps of 10 to reps of 30.
If you haven't done them lately, or ever...
- standing
- to full "ass to grass"
- to standing
... it's quite a shock to learn our trusty bottom half may not be as durable as we think.
When I started 10 burned,
then 20 really burned...
... the last 5 of 30 were a massive struggle.
Back to yesterday's hammerfest, when the burn came on it was like my body saying...
... Oh, we're gonna burn now. Buckle up buttercup, I've got this.
Rather than pulling the plug at the onset of burn, I embraced it and powered on.
Best I've felt in weeks/months.
Now, I'll be the first to admit it could just be that I was supertapered going into last weekend's BWR UT and I might just be having a good response to the taper followed by the 3.5 hours of racing across the high desert.
But, even if that's the case...
... the burn of 30 ATGs feels so good.
Gonna keep upping it,
apparently 100 is a thing.
(yes, on top of split squats and probably bringing back box jumps)
===
165.2
8 hours sleep
480 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 90 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 90 ATG air squats and 18 split squats with 50lbs
85/96/-12 per Strava
What I'm reading: 7 Powers, The Foundations of Business Strategy, Hamilton Helmer
What I'm studying: Prayer, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
I CAN'T BELIEVE SHE TOOK ME BACK
IT'S REALLY HARD TO LET GO of something we love. The fear we won't get it back is legit. Yet, the opportunity of enjoying something new...
... is real, and tantalizing.
The known vs the unknown.
Once we move on, that thing we left behind might...
- forget about us
- reject our return
- change and move on
... it's risky.
No, Surfergirl didn't leave me or vice versa.
But!...
... I did leave my beloved TMWC (Tuesday Morning World Championships) for another ride: Wednesday Worlds.
The main reason, and it's very valid, waking up at 5am and rolling out in the cold, dark, pre-dawn was leaving me almost worthless for work the rest of the day.
The lesser reason, I was thinking the blazing intensity of WW would be a better work out.
Well, a funny thing happened when a downloaded the Tuesday vs WW data...
- significantly more time above threshold and VO2 max
- much higher average and normalized power
- and, the best, all my pals were there
... to smack me in the face!
For sure, it helped that the sun was up when I rolled out.
And, I was putting down power on the road vs battling dust, rocks and terrain.
The fellas were all welcoming...
... probably because they knew they'd dump me up The Wall and send me home with a good lycra whipping.
Gawd, I've missed this ride and these awesome cats.
===
165.2
7 hours sleep
480 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 30 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 30 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs
84/83/-9 per Strava
What I'm reading: 7 Powers, The Foundations of Business Strategy, Hamilton Helmer
What I'm studying: Prayer, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
GIVE ME 10 WEEKS
HOW LONG DOES IT REALLY TAKE to get into top shape for an A race is a question we'd all like answered. For an Olympian, it might be years. For us...
... we might have a few months.
Or less.
Depending on when we sign up, and the vagaries of life.
But, let's just say we are fitter than most,
not as fit as some.
Then our focus will be...
- long climbs or power climbs
- slogs into the wind or a million turns
- finishing in ones and two or a ripping bunch sprint
... more on race specific training.
Given a good baseline of fitness, my general rule is...
- our bodies
- our equipment
- our travel and logistics
... it takes 10 weeks to really sharpen the saw.
For me, aiming for Leadville on 8.15.26, I've got time...
... but, no time to waste.
And, so it begins.
===
164.6
8 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level,
√ Upper Body: 60 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 60 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs
81/72/9 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
What I'm studying: The Search, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE PREPARATION/EXPECTATION EQUATION
DECONSTRUCTING OUR RECENT PERFORMANCE is critical for improvement. The longer we wait, the foggier our recollection. Details we were sure of...
... become memories full of bias.
It's natural.
Who wants to remember what went wrong, when we can glory in all that went right?
Other than screwing up yet another sprint for the line, nothing really went sideways for me at BWR UT.
And, if I'm being honest, Billy tested my legs on the overpass coming into to town. Whether or not he knew it, and I stayed glued through the the pain...
... I was hurting.
There are a few things that went really right...
- The chef's pasta the night before at Chef Alfredo's, with Danny and Lisa, was delish and just what I needed.
- The AirBNB I found at the last minute - a 3-bedroom house was perfect and the beds wonderful.
- The 8:30 start was a little too late to skip breakfast, so I went with my gut and mowed down a couple of chocolate Entenmann's donuts, half an apple, and a couple of cups of my trusty mushroom hot chocolate.
- I picked up Skratch Super High Carb and ran 6 scoops in my 2-liter pack and another 3 in one bottle.
- To stay ahead of cramps, I ate a Salt Stick chews.
- For the bike set up,
- Ceramic Speed chain held up really well to all the dust, even after getting doused with cold water by Smitty at the final aid station.
- The tire pressure was pretty low, 22lbs in back 20lbs up front. I rimmed out a few times over the random chunky stuff while in a paceline. That's always risky. But, I also felt like I was much more comfortable than other competitors who dropped off the group over time.
... the last was mindset.
Preparation vs Expectation.
I came in pretty rested having spend the previous 2 weeks on my MTB in Park City.
Because of the altitude, it was difficult to put in hard efforts of any meaningful time. Hours in the saddle were solid, but even a lot of that was spent ripping down hill.
I'd give me preparation a B, which was fine for a B race.
Knowing that, my expectations were quite low.
Here's the point...
... poor preparation with high expectations is a formula for frustration and a crummy day on course.
Whereas...
... awesome preparation with low expectations always makes for a fun race and often surprising outcomes.
===
163.6
7.5 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level,
√ Upper Body: 100 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 70 ATG air squats and 18 split squats with 50lbs
82/74/7 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
What I'm studying: Prayer, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
IF THINGS AREN'T ENDING UP as we'd like them to, the obvious thing to do would be dong something different. But, that can be a hard pill to swallow because...
... we're comfy and don't wanna change.
Hope isn't a strategy.
Or, a tactic.
So, even though I was hoping I'd be able to fend off the change with a few hundred meters to go at BWR UT, the mofo I'd been working with for the last 30 miles...
... stuck a shiv in my back.
There was nothing I could do.
Had no answer.
Surfergirl, bless her little beating heart, could see I was frustrated with myself and...
... accidentally twisted the buried blade.
What are you going to do about it?
I think it was an innocent, honest, loving, caring question due to the fact that she's seen me frustrated with something...
... then, draw up a solution and make it happen.
Truthfully, does it really matter if close out a racing effort by taking some cat on the line who I may never see again?
Not even.
What matters, to me, is that I execute the plan.
In this case...
... having something left at the end, to rip a fast finish.
The kool kids call that durability.
I call it having your shift together when it counts, which means I'll be needing to...
... wrap up long rides with sprints that sting.
===
164ish no scale
7.5 hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
83/86/-3 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
What I'm studying: Prayer, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
ARE YOU EXCITED FOR THE RACE TOMORROW?
THE NIGHT BEFORE any race is not a normal night. No matter how practiced we are there's always something different to our routine. Sometimes...
... we just make it up.
Why not?
It might work,
or not.
Surfergirl keeps asking me are you excited?
I wanna say yes,
and I know I will be tomorrow...
... about a millisecond after we start.
Until then,
my energy tends to be low.
Not depressed low.
Hybernation low.
Lethargic.
Slothy.
Trying to amp me up, she asks...
... have you looked at reg to see who's going to be there?
That's the kind of thing that...
- if I glanced at it now
- the night before the race
- when I'm trying to chill and sleep early
... would def keep me up and tossing and turning.
No, that's not my agenda.
I prefer to...
- lose all hope
- ditch all desire
- punt all pretense
... and shut 'er down with my favorite pint.
===
164ish no scale
8.5 hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
81/70/11 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
What I'm studying: Prayer, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
NOSTALGIA
WE ALL STARTED this endurance journey somewhere, likely not where we are today. Introduced by a friend, sometimes on purpose, others inadvertently. While we may change locales, and the friends become distanced…
… we’re still here.
In the game.
We may have the opportunity to go back to where it all started.
For me, it was…
- my roommate’s bike
- a finagled purchase of my own
- secrets of sprinting revealed by Bret, who raced track nationally for San Jose Bicycle Club
… in Provo, UT.
I rearranged my classes…
- to start as early as possible
- so I could ride every afternoon
- before cruising the library to cruise the cubicles in search of a “study” partner.
… because I had priorities to attend to.
Today I hit a climb I’d always wanted to check out, Cascade Springs, but it was a battered gravel road back in the day.
Now, it’s pristine pavement all the way up over 8000’
Followed by a plummeting descent that is as magical now as it was 40 years ago.
I’ve moved,
but, I never really moved on…
… and, I’m quite okay with that.
===
164ish no scale
8.5 hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
81/68/12 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
What I'm studying: Prayer, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE TRUE PRICE OF FREE ADVICE
A WHILE BACK, I connected with the COO of a well-known bike brand. We were working on a collaboration at the time. I asked him for some...
... advice on what we're doing over here.
Today, we met for lunch.
Looked at from now to the end of the year,
the objectives I want to accomplish,
what I think is possible.
No different than...
- capabilities
- weaknesses
- peak seasonal events
... planning the race season with a coach.
After some yummy tacos,
and back of napkin calculations...
... we came up with a solid methodology to implement.
Like any great coach,
my friend made it so simple to understand...
... and gave me the confidence to go for it.
I was prepared to pay a minimum of $1,000.
In the end it could be way more expensive than that...
... if I don't take action.
It could cost me 100s of 1000s.
===
164ish no scale
8 hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
82/77/5 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
ARE SUFFERING AND EPICCING TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN?
WE ALL KNOW that group workouts are torturous by nature. It's not a secret. Yet, we continue to show up beating after beating because...
... suffering loves company.
Alone, for most of us, is no good.
We won't see it through,
we'll ease up when we should be hardening up.
The bonds we end up forming are often unbreakable...
... we're in agony together.
Suddenly people who barely knew each other are fist bumping and ready for the next one.
What's the opposite bondforming experience?...
... when we're pushing geographic boundaries together.
Like today.
It wasn't the 90 minute climb topping out at 9160'.
Nope.
It was the 60 minutes of downhill...
- ripping through the trees
- sliding around gorgeous berms
- jumping rocks and roots and stumps
... feeling like we were cheating life.
Epiccing, like suffering, loves company.
We set off in search of adventures that will push beyond the comforts or riding around the block...
... the unknown and undiscovered beckoning to be shared.
===
164ish no scale
8 hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
82/71/10 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
COOCOO FOR CLIMBING
IF WEIGHTED SQUATS are a lot better than air squats, is climbing a lot better than riding on the flats? And, if climbing is better...
... is climbing with a weighted vest mo' bettah?
Things one wonders.
And takes to extremes.
I remember backintheday, rolling out with 100oz hydration pack on my back and 2 large waterbottles filled with sand.
It seems so silly now,
almost as all the ruckers.
On a bike we can measure power.
So, we know.
We know we don't need to stress our backs with extra weight or stupid add ons...
... we can just pedal faster.
Velocity X Force - Power
Which taken a step further...
... climbing aint gonna train us any better than flats.
We gotta put out the power.
There is a caveat, if we like...
- climbing big mountains
- ripping punchy stuff
- pounding the flats
... our bodies will adapt and become more efficient at the one we love and gravitate towards.
Me personally?
I'm coocoo for climbing,
and bananas for bombing.
===
164ish no scale
8 hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
80/63/17 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
HEAR ME OUT
SOMETIMES IT'S JUST PLAIN FUN to make fun of Velo, "powered by Outisde". Whether it's their clickbaity titles, AI drivel, or soulselling advertorials...
... there's at least one good laugh a day.
Here's my current favorite.
Stop Complaining About Sound, These Are The Best Headphones for Cycling
Roight!
Because decreasing our ability to engage with our surroundings when traveling 20+ miles per hour in our underwear on...
- trails
- gravel
- pavement
... is a great idea.
Genius.
Next up...
... Stop Complaining About Night Vision, These Are The Best Sunglasses After Sunset.
There is no best.
At best, assuming it's not clickbait or advertorial would be...
... These Headphones Least Worsen Your Ability To React To Danger When Riding.
Or, for the trailrunners...
... These Earbuds Reduce Getting The Shift Scared Out of You When A Bike Rider Has Been Saying 'Hey There' For 5 Minutes and Finally Gives Up and Passes You.
Now for you in the back jumping up and down ready to tell me to not be so closeminded...
... I hear you.
===
164ish no scale
8 hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
82/72/10 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
>
POP TART POWERED, BEE STUNG... ATHLETE unINTELLIGENCE
SOMETIMES, we just gotta change it up. Do something different just fer fun. Go against...
... conventional wisdom.
I thought it had been a good week...
- 177 miles
- 17:26 hours
- 20951' of vert
... given I'd been knocked down by a 24 hour bug.
Mostly in the dirt,
mostly with friends.
Yet, every single ride Strava's Athlete Intelligence...
... scored it as recovery or recovery and endurance.
Apparently, the AI couldn't account for the fact this sea leveler was suffering at 7000-10,000 elevation.
Rolling out this morning...
- a few scoops of Envy
- 4 pop tarts
- 1 Carbs gel
... I grabbed what I had + 100 ounces of water.
While I hoped to put down some power, since all I'd done was "recovery and endurance" rides...
... I knew the truth.
Leaving with a simple plan,
ride until I ran out of food and water.
It was an epic day in the mountains...
... topped off with a bee sting in the gut a few miles from home base.
Memorable.
===
164
9 hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
84/80/0 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE ADVENTURE
SOMETIMES, the road really is better than the inn. We realize that whatever we are aiming for may not be all that great, but...
... putting in the work gives outsized returns.
Gratitude blooms.
Like today.
My pal Charles charts out this loop...
- 32 miles
- 4700' of vert
- topping out at 10,000'
... which seems really cool.
Until we hit our first massive fallen tree and bushwhack around it.
Then, patches of snow,
too long to ride.
Followed Puke Hill.
The view...
- The Great Salt Lake to the west
- Park City to the East
- Not a soul around
... stunning.
Somehow the goals seem weak, lacking...
... when beauty abounds.
If we'll just stop to look.
===
165ish, no scale
7ish hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
83/72/10 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHEN TRAINING ISN'T ACCORDING TO PLAN
THE BEST LAID PLANS can go sideways for a variety of reasons. I'm not gonna list 'em since I don't want to poison your mind and have you...
... manifesting awfulness.
'Cause I'm questioning just that about myself.
Did I manifest...
- 3 days off at I Do Epic
- riding with friends short on time
- puking my guts out last night after a miserable 70 minute ride
... or, is it just life?
Doesn't matter too much,
except part of my GrandMasterRipOnRaceDay plan...
... was a massive training week this week to make up for last week
and leave me slightly buried for BWR next week.
I consulted AI all night...
- possibly caused by using pure table sugar on my rides
- hydration via room temp peppermint tea
- a few Tums
... while Surfergirl laughed at me and secured the remedy.
Arose after 10 hours, feeling a lot better.
Energy seems good enough to day...
... to meet up with the local slayers.
The prudent thing would be to skip the meet up,
spin at most, or sleep...
... a proper adjustment.
But, screw it...
... I've got plans, too.
===
165ish, no scale
7.5ish hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
80/57/22 per Strava - very rested
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
HE'S A GENIUS
WE ALL HAVE, or should have, wish we had, that friend who can fix anything. Even though we've upped our skills over the years there's always that...
... next level repair.
We can't do it.
Like my SID fork, today...
- packing in on descents
- rebound slower than a sloth
- adjustment dials backing out and loose
... I was in a bind.
Turns out the great C Gonzer lives where I'm visiting,
racing pals from a decade ago.
Within about about 20 minutes,
he had it working nearly good as new.
How'd you learn how to do this?
I just really like working on my bikes.
That's it?
Well, I am a mechanical engineer by trade.
That's it...
- love what we do
- study the basics
- achieve mastery
... genius level work.
===
165ish, no scale
7.5ish hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
80/57/23 per Strava - very rested
What I'm reading: Feeling Is The Secret, by Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THIS WAS A THING.
Jun 24, 2023
by TODD BROWN
THIS IS A WEIRD ONE. We were having a discussion about the various exercises I've incorporated in the last year and the neuromuscular connection to my dramatically reactivated pedal stroke. Turns out...
... 50% of the cycling world thinks it's a waste.
Now how could that be?
Is it that 50% doesn't no jackshift about pedaling?
You know who I'm taking about right, the stabbers. The people you show a one-legged drill to and they have a massive deadspot in their pedal stroke.
Apparently, and this is hard for me to believe...
... this group is 100% convinced there is zero (0) benefit to applying pressure all the way around.
Let me hearken back to the time I paid the renowned and great Joe Friel to fly out and speak to a group of about 300 cyclists and kick off the year.
Half way through his presentation he busts out these very unusual charts which show incremental improvements in efficiency the more a rider was able to deliver power all the way around the pedal stroke.
Each one seemed negligible.
But, taken together the measured improvement was anywhere from 1-8%.
Anyway, if you want a quick check on this...
... get on a flat road, in your easiest gear, and unclip one foot.
If you can't pedal all the way around, smoothly, for a long time...
... you might have a problem.
Which brings me back to today.
Unbelievably to me, I managed to PR a climb I've done a million times.
Yes, I was hanging on for dearlife as we started,
Yes, I was popped about 75% up...
... yes, I stayed seated and relaxed and felt those hammies and ankles FIRING!
Oh, what are the exercises?
Take the Challenge to find out.
---
165.5
7ish hrs
PushUps PullUps Squats Nordics
20 minutes recovery
45 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
I'M NOT HERE TO CODDLE YOU
Jun 23, 2023
by TODD BROWN
I WAS RECENTLY LISTENING TO A GROUP OF GUYS AND GALS I love and respect report on their training. To me it sounded like they are dumbing down what...
... they agreed to be held accountable to.
Here is my message to them (and you).
As you tailor your metrics, be sure you aren’t holding the bar low. We are here to be stretched, not coddled.
For example, my minimum is 5 pull ups, 15 pushups, 3 squats every day – often 2-3 times more. On Monday, Wednesday, Friday… I run 1 mile, and do the whole Rip On RaceDay circuit which adds: sled, nodics, hip flexors, box jumps, toe raises, calf raises… and other things I think up. Recently, I added the running because I feel everybody should be able to easily jog a mile without feeling like they’ve been in a car wreck the next day.
Here’s what I’ve found.
Doing the minimum daily makes it normal.
What was once a major stretch becomes the baseline,
it’s no harder than walking up a flight of stairs.
It is so powerful to always have an A race to look forward to.
Right now, I have two: one in September of this year, and the other in August of 2032. If you don't have an A race, find one and sink your teeth into it.
Otherwise asking this question makes no sense…
… Will this make me faster?
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-alliance
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-alliance
---
164.9
7 hrs
Rip On RaceDay Crossfit
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
HOW OFTEN DO YOU ASK THIS QUESTION?
Jun 22, 2023
by TODD BROWN
I CAME ACROSS A QUESTION so powerful and clear it startled me. Not because I had never asked it...
... but, that I don't ask it enough.
It's a game changer.
The British Rowing Team put it into practice for the 2012 Olympics. Prior to that, they hadn't won a gold medal in nearly 100 years.
They used this filter to judge the worthiness of every action, every day.
Will it make the boat faster?
or, for us...
Will it make the bike faster?
Simple.
There's obviously the bike itself and it's many parts,
then the person piloting the bike,
their food and drink choices,
their home environment,
their social lives,
their recovery,
etc.
The closer we get to an 'A' race the more we need to ask it. Then again, every day is raceday...
... how we race reflects how we prep.
Well, will it?
---
164.8
7.5 hrs
PushUps PullUps Squats
60 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
ARE YOU DOING THIS ON PURPOSE?
Jun 21, 2023
by TODD BROWN
I SURE THE HECK HOPE YOU AREN'T DOING THIS for the wrong reasons. There are so many, fortunately there are...
... just as many right reasons.
But, let me tell you the biggest wrong reason.
The number one, No. 1, biggest, hugest, ugliest reason is to win some silly trinket.
Take last night for example.
I had an incredible race, and a massive breakthrough...
... I also, got whacked on the final climb by Tommy.
For the first time all series I felt really good. In fact, I PR'd the climb which I've done 19 times prior according to Starva...
... and I felt totally in control doing it.
Plus I had the big breakthrough, and I think I've discovered why I have struggled a few times this season.
I was racking my helmet holder.
What was different? What has changed? Why did I feel like I couldn't breathe? Why was tonight so veryvery good?
The weeks I have felt just awful and battled to finish were the same weeks we were tasked with caring for the granddog. I think it's extremely likely I've developed some sort allergy to dogs...
... and this dog is a massive shedder.
Kids are gonna be sad,
but, dad very glad.
Here's the problem with trinket chasing...
... it's never enough, and is often a killer of mental health.
If winning had been paramount, it's highly like I would have missed so many good things on the evening...
- PRd the climb
- Figured out the breathing issue
- Made some really good biz connections in the vendor area, teams needing new gear
- Plus, might have found the perfect fit for a position I've been looking to fill
... there's a secret though.
Rather than look at the trinket that was missed...
... look backwards and see all that was accomplished.
I can see I'm slightly off track here because I'm not listing a few of the reasons to go to the races, beyond the podium climbing...
... which is always a bonus.
Here are a few of the reason I show up to race...
- Stay in shape which has allowed me to play with my kids and be most effective at work
- Develop friendships and bond with dudes - we need this
- Get outside and enjoy nature
- Go some place different
- Learn how to maintain and operate something in the physical world
- Scare the crud out of myself from time to time
- Savor the experience of finishing something huge
... don't let trinkets be your purpose, they are a byproduct at best.
Yes, I display and talk about them but that's mainly so y'all don't think I'm completely full of shiz...
... which reminds me of a troll I once had.
He paid me the highest compliment.
I'd gotten so good, so fit, so fast...
... he accused me of cheating.
Now, that is high praise.
Not that I'm into that.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-alliance
Wanna hang out with some cool peeps?
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-alliance
---
165.8
7 hrs
Rip On RaceDay Crossfit
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
'A' RACE SECRET NO. 7
Jun 20, 2023
by TODD BROWN
IS THE NUMBER 7 REALLY LUCKY? Is this really Secret No. 7? These questions and others will be answered...
... will you take action?
I'm not into luck.
Luck is for the unprepared.
7, in scripture, signifies perfection or completion.
I am into that.
But, here's the dirty little secret.
The races we pick determine the racers we become,
the training we do,
skills we master.
If I want to become the most complete racer possible,
I must pick the most challenging race.
Then commit to be ready to rip.
Numbers aren't lucky,
people seem lucky when in reality they are prepared.
By the way,
this is the seventh secret I've dropped in the last 7 days.
---
166.2
7.5 hrs
Push Ups and Pull Ups only
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
THE MAGIC MICHELANGELO TRAINING TECHNIQUE
Jun 19, 2023
by TODD BROWN
I SPENT MY FIRST SUMMER AFTER HIGH SCHOOL, working for a tour company. As the advance scout, I would take a train to a day early and make sure accommodations were in order...
... then, read up on local attractions.
That is where I learned one of the greatest secrets of life.
In Italy.
Reading The Agony and The Ecstasy,
a biography of the great Michaelangelo.
I was fascinated,
then blown away.
I apply this secret to this day.
While carving the most impressive 17 foot tall statue called The David, which was one of his first projects, he described his method:
The sculpture is already complete within the marble block, before I start my work. It is already there, I just have to chisel away the superfluous material.
Imagine that.
Really.
When it comes to prepping for races or building a company or caring for friends and family...
... what can we chisel away?
There's the obvious few (many) extra pounds around the waist,
the few upgrades we might make to the bike.
What about time on social media, watching shows or surfing the web?
Unnecessary relationship drama at home or work?
Time spent making food vs a quick trip to Chipotle?
A home gym vs driving to the gym?
Work meetings for no reason, starting late, running over?
A checklist vs prepping from scratch each race?
A clean and pristine drivetrain vs debris and drag?
A proper bike fit for maximum efficiency?
Stocked up on special race nutrition vs running around at the last second?
Early travel plans for savings and most restful accommodations?
Early morning training vs the often uncontrollable late day training times?
Still reading?
Let's take it up another level.
Some might call this repentance, ceasing to do things that hold us back from being nearer to what we want...
... be that God or the finish line.
Think of it as ascension vs giving something up...
... isn't that the point of creating our next masterpiece anyway?
---
166?
7ish hrs
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
IS IT REALLY ALL ABOUT BALANCE?
Jun 18, 2023
by TODD BROWN
WE USED TO LEARN TO RIDE TWOWHEELERS by starting with training wheels...
... that turned out to be a bad idea.
The training wheels were essentially a crutch, keeping us from learning about balance.
Now kids as young as 2 learn to balance and coast on a bike with no pedals.
Once they learn to balance we can add complexity like pedals and brakes.
Ditch the training wheels.
Keep it simple.
Balanced.
---
166.3
7.5ish hrs
No strength work
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
THE NUMBER 1 REASON TO CUT THE RIDE SHORT
Jun 17, 2023
by TODD BROWN
YEARS AGO, nearly all my rides ended early. Even on the weekends, I'd head out early and be back by 830 or 9...
... because I had another ride to do.
These were the best rides,
with my best riders.
We lived right next to this beautiful canyon, with a pristine singletrack.
followed by a mile or so fire road climb,
and a ripping, bermy, flowy ride
to the bottom.
The best 5 mile loop for these little troopers, ever.
It started with a bolt on half-bike thingy and our oldest.
Then we got ahold of some tiny cranks and a bottom bracket that allowed him to ride and pedal on the back of the tandem, with our second son bolted onto the back of that on the half-bike thingy.
I loved it.
They loved it.
It was a heckuva workout for me,
with them doing what the could when I really need Full Power!
26 years ago today, the sassy little sister joined the party...
... which is why I needed to cut the ride short this morning.
We're all gettin' together from her bday and Father's Day, at the beach.
The bike riding didn't really take hold...
... but, getting outside and doing fun things sure did.
---
165.3
7.3ish hrs
PushUps PullUps Squats
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
BUT, SERIOUSLY...
Jun 16, 2023
by TODD BROWN
IT'S JUST A SPORT, a passion, a hobby. Consequently, a lot of times we don't take ourselves seriously...
... when we could.
Look back a few years, to that first bike ride.
Slow.
Dorky.
Not good.
Look at you now.
Much better.
Faster.
Or maybe back to slow?
Here's the dill.
When we look back and see where we've come from vs where we are now...
... it's obvious we've improved.
We did something.
Take stock of that, then ask...
... who can help me take the next leap forward?
I did just that today.
Thinking about my commitment for Marathon Nats, I realized I'm going to need to take my fitness up a notch.
Quickly.
So, I hired a coach,
someone who knows more than me,
who can teach me something I don't know...
... quicker than I'd learn it on my own.
Seriously,
time is short.
Who is the missing piece of your puzzle?
---
165.1
7.2ish hrs
Full RaceDay Ready Circuit
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
WHAT A GREAT DAY!
Jun 15, 2023
by TODD BROWN
A DAY IN MY LIFE.
Get up to factory to review new prototype jerseys, bibs, tech t's and base layers with our new pattern maker.
We're close.
But, I'm picky.
And, she's pickier.
It's take much, much longer than anticipated to develop these new patterns...
... and I think we are a week or two from our final revision.
From there, I hustled home to do a podcast with Tom Danielson.
What a story.
Scrawny kid,
rips on a mountain bike,
switches to road as a climbing specialist,
races at the highest levels all the way to the Tour de France...
... falls from grace.
Regroups.
Rebuilds.
... fall again and crashes and burns.
Regroups.
Builds something new.
From nothing.
Amazing.
I had no idea the depth, breadth and details we'd cover.
Popped on my kit,
barely caught up to the fellas,
got shot out the back to do some purposeful Zone 2.
Quick shower.
Jump on our Alliance call, where this gold is dropped by Kyle.
Marty, you mentioned you still get anxious and nervous before a race even after doing 1000s of races.
Yeah.
I'm an anesthesiologist and early on I mentioned to my mentor that putting kids under made me really nervous...
... he told me, Good, if that ever stops it's time to quit.
I tell ya, it was a truly great day.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-alliance
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-alliance
---
164.4
7ish hrs
PushUps PullUps Squats Nordics
20 minutes recovery
6- minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
MY WOMAN MEETS MY OTHER WOMEN
Jun 14, 2023
by TODD BROWN
WE'VE BEEN THREATENING TO DO THIS, get our other women together and see how things go. You know jump on...
... the trending societal debauchery.
Tonight was the night where Surfergirl found out my other woman...
... is a man with a bike.
Kidding aside.
I put out a text the DRTY WDNSDY crew,
Susie is making tacos after the ride.
Here's the thing.
We spend all this time riding together,
talking about work, kids, life,
the good, the trials,
dude bonding.
We need it.
Too few of our contemporaries have any kind of male only interaction. Dude loneliness is a thing, and for some can be a killer. In that sense, we are extremely fortunate.
While we know each other so well,
our partners only know of us...
And, I reckon more than a few have wondered...
... Who the heck is he spending so much time with?!
So, to finally get together and put faces with stories it can be an amazing experience for everybody because truth be told most of us are...
... riding with incredible human beings.
---
164.8
7 hrs
Full RaceDay Ready Circuit
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
ZONING OUT
Jun 13, 2023
by TODD BROWN
ZONE 2 TRAINING HAS BECOME ESSENTIAL TO ME. There is nothing better to build a huge cardio engine...
... but that is only the half of it.
Nearly all of my zone 2 training is alone.
Like most, my schedule can get hectic, and it is a challenge to meet others for a session more than once or twice a week...
... so, it's just me.
Not only am I riding in solitude, but the majority of the rides are off-road, in nature. Or, off the highway on a bike path.
Here is where I tap into the superpower of zone 2...
... and maybe you do the same.
I noticed it long ago, when a certain infamous champion dominated cycling's collective consciousness. As I rode along, I imagined I was him. My posture changed, my cadence changed, my thoughts were elevated to those of a champion.
Years later, I realize zone 2 can be a meditative workout.
Far from the distractions of life, I am with my thoughts. Sometimes, for sure, I am envisioning a great outcome on the bike. Reviewing what I'll do in preparation, and how I will perform at a given time...
..., but, that's not all.
I take this time to imagine all areas of life having the outcomes I desire. My marriage, our kids and grandkids. Our long-term physical and spiritual health. The people I serve. And, most definitely, where PEDALindustries is headed.
That is how I do zone 2 training...
... how about you?
---
165.4
7.3 hrs
Push Ups and Pull Ups
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE GEARS
Jun 12, 2023
by TODD BROWN
IT'S PROBABLY NOT NEW TO YOU, but I was stunned to see this. Right before my very eyes, binge watching...
... the Tour de France.
Have you seen it?
On Netflix?
We sat down for the first episode, with steak and veggies.
The initial scenes are incredible.
And suddenly I'm thinking, maybe just maybe, my friends and family will finally get it...
... why I'm so crazy for this sport.
The insane technology,
incredible athletes,
massive danger,
fans so close,
this is it.
Maybe.
Maybe they'll be drawn in.
Because, how cool would it be to get a whole bunch more friends and family out riding, and dreaming of...
... going that fast,
being that good,
on two wheels.
---
164.8
7.5 hrs
Circuit training
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
SO TAKE MY STRONG ADVICE
Jun 11, 2023
by TODD BROWN
YA KNOW, it's a shame I have to be reminded of this every year or so. But, here it is very late spring, and the signs couldn't be more clear...
... there's evil creeping in the woods.
It's unseen,
unless you slow down.
But, who has time for that?
While we were out ripping it up on DRTY WDNSDY the evil was doing it's thing...
... wrapping around my arms and legs.
Painless.
Without a trace.
Until last night when I awoke in misery.
My right arm got it the worst.
Everything from sleeve to glove is inflamed, in a weird rhino-skin way.
So, here are my top 2 remedies.
- If you suspect in the slightest, use Tecnu immediately after returning from a ride.
- If you've blown it, like I have, Ivarest is great at knocking back the urge...
... to rip the skin off your body.
Roadies, you got nothing to worry about.
Gravelers, maybe a teeny chance if you poach singletrack.
Mountainbikes below 5000' in moist, shady areas like the bottom of our trail network...
... beware, and take care.
It ain't called Poison Ivy for nothing.
---
166.2
8.5 hrs
No strength work
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
HOW HARD WAS THIS WORK OUT?
Jun 10, 2023
by TODD BROWN
SINGING ANDY came up for some MTB fun this morning. An outstanding road racer and accomplished runner, he's found a new focus...
... offroad triathlon, Xterra.
Today's mission: have some fun.
The heavy mist provided amazing traction, zero dust...
... and 3D printed our legs and bikes with mud.
Since he's at the end of a big training block, and I'm starting to lay base for my September showdown neither of us was looking to push too hard...
... but, what do you make of that pic of my BPM up there?
We had done a number of steep pitches...
... however, nothing to warrant 225 BPM.
Yes, I know, the ongoing saga of my Wahoo device.
I looked at Andy's bike.
No bike computer?
Nah, I don't measure anything any more.
Nothing?
Only on my road bike, when I do intervals, I track power.
No Strava?
Not for 4 years.
No heart rate monitor?
I'm pretty sure it's still beating.
Hmmm...
Yeah, I just like to ride on feel and be in the moment.
I can respect that.
Especially given the worthless data I was receiving.
The Apple watch came through with HR data, but it always records about 10% less vertical than the Wahoo.
Which is correct?
Does it matter?
Or, would we all be better off riding on feel and in the moment like Singing Andy?
---
Afterwards, I caught myself in the mirror on the way to the shower. It wasn't good.
I thought my gloves were tucked stowed in my jersey, I often throw them up there post ride...
... that little pooch in front of my jersey wasn't my gloves!
Time to face reality...
... I've let something slid on the meal plan and it's gathering in plain sight.
As much as I assure myself my current weight trend is from all weights, I now 100% sure it's not.
---
166.4
7.5 hrs
PushUps and Pull Ups
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
A TOUR DE FRANCE PREDICTION
Jun 09, 2023
by TODD BROWN
LAST YEAR ABOUT THIS TIME, I predicted the The Vampire (aka Jonas Vingegaard) would win the Tour. My logic was simple...
... he was making his team captain Roglic look old and slow.
You can read about it here.
So, what about this year?
First off, I'm excited as heck to see my favorite mountain biker in action...
... Pidcock is so fun to watch.
There's a lot of hype around his descending skills, deservedly so. He's so hard to classify as a racer, extremely aggressive...
... and supremely confident.
Wout, Mathieu, Remco all race like that.
As if they've just escaped from jail and they ain't going back.
Then there's Tadej.
He's currently recovering from a broken wrist.
However, that won't be driving him.
He's coming for redemption.
He was embarrassed.
If you think this year's exploits in the Classics were to focus on something else besides the Tour, I'd guess you're wrong. In my eyes, those peloton stomping wins were much more...
... a show of force, shock and awe.
Is the vampire rattled?
Judging by his performance so far at the Dauphine, I'd say nope.
Should he be?
Definitely.
No Roglic to misdirect the competition.
Kuss just rode the Giro and could be weaker than last year.
It's early, it's risky...
... it's gonna be Tadej.
There.
I said it.
Who are you picking?
---
164.2
7ish hrs
No strength workout
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
MY SECRET ALLIANCE
Jun 08, 2023
by TODD BROWN
I HAVE THIS CORE GROUP OF ATHLETES I meet with once a week on Zoom. In the beginning, it was simply to hold each other accountable. Six months in...
... it's become a trusted group of advisors and motivators.
If you're like me, very few people can relate to what I want to accomplish.
Why do you want to do that?
Ugh... I hate that question.
Is it to make me feel guilty?
Is it because I'm making them look bad?
Or, maybe it's just jealousy that I have something I'm passionate about.
Personally, I just want to go for it.
Simple as that.
I want to.
Which is what makes my alliance so invaluable.
They all get it because they are on a similar quest.
We ask why, so that we know how to support each other.
We ask how, and we get gold from the group.
We ask when, to cheer each other on.
Each week, we check in and update each other on our progress on and off the bike, our challenges, our races, our PRs, etc...
... and I love it.
I hope you have something like that in your life.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-alliance
If not, check this out.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-alliance
---
164
8ish hrs
Push Ups, Pull Ups, Squats
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
THE INFINITE RACE
Jun 07, 2023
by TODD BROWN
LAST NIGHT WAS A CLOSE ONE. Pre-riding part of the course, my chain was skipping a bit. Can't have that racing...
... luckily, my local bike shop was there.
So, I cut my pre-ride short figuring the course was unchanged from the previous week.
Big mistake.
(Note: this is why I highly, highly recommend supporting the local shop)
The other mistake, as The Coathanger pointed out, was not dialing in my bike before showing up.
Hey, I saw your bike hanging up and being wrenched on.
Yeah, chain is skipping.
Aren't you supposed to be raceday ready?
Yes, I am.
Don't you make a checklist for having the bike ready on raceday?
Yes, I do.
Well?
Well... shift happens.
Anyway, we line up to race and within about 3 minutes we've nearly caught the wave that stared 30 seconds ahead of us and as 3 of my competitors gap me with ease...
... I'm thinking Why the heck do I sign up for this torture?!!
My breathing is so loud and laborious, even I'm concerned.
Fortunately, along with my derailer not working well my Wahoo HRM wasn't working either.
Let the records show that both of these devices were working fine the day before.
If I'd been about to see the HR recorded by my back up Apple Watch, I probably would have quit.
It was really hard.
Towards the top, I made up a bit of ground and while the leaders were being held up a bit by slower traffic on the single track return to the bottom, I was able to connect once we hit the pavement.
Remember how I skipped riding all of the course?
Yeah, well, if I had, I would have known to be first into the final single track, which we haven't ridden all year.
It's not that hard.
But, it does have some very steep and tight turns that must be attacked with power...
... the kind of turns that can get in your head.
Sure enough, the rider in front of me misses the last 180 and we all have to dismount.
Ugh.
Winding around to hit the big hill for the second and final time, I'm feeling a little better.
Slowly, ever so slowly, I pulled away from the fellas and established a big enough gap by the bottom to comfortably ride away.
The point is this.
Sometimes, I (we?) just want to quit.
It hurts.
I'm tired of suffering.
Inevitably, at least for me, I almost always start to feel good.
As the great Mike Tyson famously said...
... Everybody's got a plan until the get punched in the face (gapped off the back.)
The thing is though, while the pain is real, it's not infinite...
pushing through,
giving it our all,
persevering,
... is what we do, and who we are.
It doesn't always work out, that we catch back on or feel better. Sometimes we just get shelled and do the ride of shame back to the start line.
You know what would be a real shame?
To never go back,
to stop clawing and battling,
to never chase another outrageous PR.
The real race is the infinite one, against ourselves.
---
164.7
6.8 hrs
RaceDay Ready Circuit Training and Run
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
DRAFT OR BOTTLE?
Jun 06, 2023
by TODD BROWN
HAD A RACER PING ME and let me know he'd beat anybody, anytime, anywhere. He'd put up $500, cash. He just had one requirement...
... no drafting.
Then asked me my thoughts,
poor soul.
They are many.
- He would lose to any pro male, and most pro women.
- Drafting requires a level of skill and cunning, I personally enjoy.
- Drafting is important in decreasing order:
- BMX
- Road
- Gravel
- Mountain
- Time trialing.
- Don't wish things were different, with you were better.
So rather than bottle up that angst,
go for something where drafting matters less, or not at all.
MTB
or, TT
Prove it.
Now, I really like this cat. He has sent me a number of emails over the years...
... I hope he is encouraged to go for it.
Winning a Cat 1 race in either of those would be a truly massive feat.
I hope he does it.
I hope he rips it up,
climbs to the top step,
and claims the all elusive Gold medal.
That would be rad...
... then, we can find a pro who he can give $500 to.
If you're still reading brother,
I send this in love and as a challenge.
Let me know.
Meanwhile, I'll be finishing at to top of my age group tonight...
... 15+% slower than the pros.
---
165.2
7.5 hrs
PushUps and Pull Ups
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
VISION PROBLEMS?
Jun 05, 2023
by TODD BROWN
ALLRIGHTY KIDS, you may be having the same challenge I am. Oddly, and this is happening on and off the bike, I have found myself challenged...
... to look far ahead.
That's a problem if you're trying to go fast.
For some inexplicable reason, I am having to really force myself to keep my eyes up...
... searching for the next turn or obstacle.
Instead, I find myself rather myopic (kids, that means only seeing what's right in front of me.)
The result is instead of being in a state of flow, I often find myself being reactive and overly cautious.
Do I need glasses?
Mmmmmaybe.
But, I don't think so.
In fact, after a deep dive into 10X Is Easier Than 2X, I'm convinced my vision has just gotten lazy on the bike.
Lazy?
Maybe not the right word.
Bad habits?
It could be I've been doing more road riding and it is so easy to just focus on staying glued to the wheel I'm drafting off.
In the 10X Book, Dan and Ben propose that by focusing on 10X goals our mind will develop the pathways to get us there.
Rather than looking far down the trail and having the faith my body will fill in the gaps...
... which is what it does when I'm in a state of flow,
when the stakes are sky high...
... I'm looking only a few feet ahead.
This puts me in a much more reactive state when ripping, far from flow. Much more of...
... a state of Oh, shift!
Not good.
Slow.
Not joyful.
Danger.
Where I should be loose and attacking,
I'm tense,
rigid.
The only cure I can think of is to get out on the trails more,
and go a lot faster than I've been going lately...
... because going 10 times faster,
used to feel a whole lot easier.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/the-way-of-the-racer
One of the secrets to going faster is...
... expecting good things to happen.
I talk about this in Chapter 4.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/the-way-of-the-racer
---
165.8
8 hrs
RaceDay Ready Strength Work
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
IT'S NOT AN 'A' RACE IF...
Jun 04, 2023
by TODD BROWN
AS RACERS AND ATHLETES, the 'A' race is our north star. Everything we are doing is aligned to achieve a specific result. To be truly powerful...
... 'A' races are something we have never done.
Doing LoToJa for the 'nth time is not an A race...
going for a PR is,
arriving at a never before race-weight is,
completing it when life derailed nearly all training plans is,
shooting for the podium after being pack fodder for years and years is...
... if it isn't scary, it's not an A race.
It's just a race that will B nice to do and allow us to C our friends
Which is fine, but hardly a north star by which all decisions are going to be weighed against...
... is this going to help or hinder the A race?
In that light, most us fail.
Me, especially.
We plan poorly,
make up excuses,
create unrealistic fears,
anything to keep us from facing the fact...
... we are scared shiftless.
Recently, I was talking myself out of going to USA Cycling's MTB Marathon Nationals...
- It's so far away.
- I hate flying (I really do)
- Work is so busy that time of year
- It's gonna cost a ton
- ... on an on.
... What a freakin' baby (I'd say pussy but I know that offends a lot of people, but that's what I was thinking. What a freakin' pussy to come up with all these excuses when it's been on my bucket list for years to go and to win.)
You know the difference between an A race and a B and a C?
Courage.
Because we don't know how we're gonna do it.
We've never done it.
It's impossible.
There is a secret, however.
It starts with Registration.
Just because we can't fathom the outcome we want to achieve,
doesn't mean it's unachievable.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/the-way-of-the-racer
If you've read my book, which apparently I need to read again for a kick in the bibs...
... then you know Registration is where the magic begins.
And, until that happens we are only fooling ourselves.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/the-way-of-the-racer
---
165.8
8.2 hrs
Pull Ups, Pushups, Squats
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
I THINK I'VE BLOWN IT
Jun 03, 2023
by TODD BROWN
ON THE VERY FIRST BABY CLIMB, I suspected I was in trouble. 2 hours later, when riders from all parts met up, I received confirmation...
Bro, you're overtrained.
I was shot right out the back 2/3s up a power climb...
... the lonely ride of shame ensued.
Dangit!
I knew it'd be risky, this little plan o' mine to put in a big training block during our racing break in order to up my fitness a bit.
5 out of 8 days, hitting it hard...
Saturday
Sunday off
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday exhausted, skipped the ride
Friday, very easy
Saturday
... plus weights, Mon-Wed and Fri.
Now, what to do in the next 72 hours?
- Get plenty of sleep - I've struggled a bit lately by adding an early morning commitment, but I think my rhythm is coming around.
- Hypvolt and stretch daily.
- Recovery walk tomorrow.
- Monk-like on the diet.
- Easy spin Monday...
... with any luck, I'll feel better.
We have 4 races left.
My plan, going forward, is back to back hard days with race Tuesday, hard MTB Wednesday...
... then lots of zone 2.
Ideally, the last 3 races I'll be feeling really good.
We'll see.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
At least I was looking good with these superlight gloves to match my kit above...
... we have lots of colors and did you know...
... it's Buy A Pair, Get A Pair for FREE?
Nothing like matching gloves to make the kit look slick.
Note: be sure and order 2 pair, the discount is automatic when you check out.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
163.9
6.8 hrs (no bueno)
Pull Ups, Pushups, Squats
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
THE POWER OF A GOOD TAIL WIND.
Jun 02, 2023
by TODD BROWN
WAS I REALLY GOING 24 MPH on my gravel bike, with underinflated tires and a heart rate of 114 bpm? It sure felt good, plus the sun had finally broken through after a month of May Gray...
... and, it dawned on me.
Everything is easier with a tail wind.
Except for one thing.
And, that can be a problem.
The tail wind speeds everyone up. Suddenly wind is not an issue, and the most powerful riders, if allowed to breakaway, can be nearly impossible to catch.
But, what if we had our won personal tailwind?
Wouldn't that be grand?
Some of us do.
And you can, too.
For a coupla bucks you can have a home gym,
and in 20-30 minutes knock out enough work to make a lot more watts.
Normally, I'd point you to the RaceDay Ready Challenge right here, where I unveil all the strategies I use...
... to Rip On RaceDay.
But, I'm not gunna.
I can't.
Hundreds and hundreds have started the challenge, but failed to make it.
That's on me.
And, it makes me sad.
I really do want you to have your best days ever...
... so, I'm revamping the program.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
So, allow me to point out that these supersexy, superlight race gloves are amazing...
... light and airy enough to wear ih the hottest temperatures.
Plus... there's a deal going on...
... it's Buy A Pair, Get A Pair for FREE?
You know how cool these are gonna be on the 4th!
Note: be sure and order 2 pair, the discount is automatic when you check out.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
163.6
7.5 hrs
Pull Ups, Pushups, Squats
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
ARE YOU A PROTEIN HACKER?
Jun 01, 2023
by TODD BROWN
IT CAN BE A CHALLENGE TO EAT ENOUGH PROTEIN, which our bodies need to repair and maintain muscles. With all our efforts to be fueled for the ride, it's easy to skip or skimp on...
... whatever your thoughts on how much protein you need.
The studies can be startling.
A study showed the young really don't need any protein because their bodies manufacture their own supply, while aging athletes need more because their bodies can't utilize it as efficiently.
What are we supposed to do?
Me, I have a goal to eat a gram of protein for every pound I weigh.
To stay on track and make it easy I try and knock most or all of my protein consumption prior to dinner...
... then, I can eat whatever the family, friends or I want to eat.
There are bonuses to this program:
- Your full all the time
- Not consuming a bunch of unneeded calories
I created a journal my protein consumption, the rest is a focus on eating "clean".
For example, here's today's entry...
6/1
30 Kodiak waffles
7 Bacon
7 Cheese
22 Sardines
12 Rx Bar
25 Kachava Shake
50 Poke (dinner)
36 Greek yogurt (dessert)
... a little over gram/pound of my body weight.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
Good thing the Superlight Race Gloves...
... provide such a powerful connection to my bars.
Did you know...
... it's Buy A Pair, Get A Pair for FREE?
I wear 'em all year long, they're that good.
Anyway, if you're in to Patriotic stuff like me, get a pair for you and a friend.
Note: be sure and order 2 pair, the discount is automatic when you check out.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
165.6
7.8 hrs
0 cross training
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
DON'T LOOK BACK, BUT DO LOOK DOWN.
May 31, 2023
by TODD BROWN
THE DRTY WDNSDY RIDE is one of my favorites. We meet at the corner, chase each other up the climbs, search out new and challenging downhills...
... what could be better?
The Assassin had gone to the front, and as the trail got a lot steeper, the pace stayed the same...
... I was afraid to look back.
If I looked back and saw The Gentlemen gapped off,
I'd probably drop anchor myself.
If I looked back and he was on my wheel,
I'd press on and blow up before the top.
Now, why do we do these rides?
Adventure, for sure.
Chance at coming home bloodied, that too.
But, there's something else.
Something bigger.
We're all training for A races in a couple of months. What we are doing now, is laying down the foundation:
- Lots of saddle time
- Riding trails much harder than we'll race
The Great Alex Hormozi shared a great and applicable story we can apply to base training.:
Two men set out to build a building.
One lays the foundation for a 10-story building and finishes the entire building in nine months.
The other lays the foundation for a 100-story building and it takes him the entire nine months just to build the first few floors.
The first “being ahead” mocks the second for taking so long. He decides he wants to build his building into a 100-story building to prove how good of a builder he is. So he tries to add stories on top. He gets to 15-16 stories and then the foundation begins to crack. He starts reinforcing things. But no matter what, he feels he can’t put anymore on top.
Over time, the second guy keeps building and passes the first man. Two years later the second man completes his 100-story building despite barely having his foundation finished by the time the first man finishes his entire building.
The first man, goes to a mentor to ask his advice on growing his building taller. The mentor tells him “you need to tear down this building or start another one new”
He says “and waste all the time I spent building this one? Can’t I just add it on top if I just knew how?”
The mentor replies “there’s a lesson here: The fastest way to build a 10-story building isn’t the fastest way to a 100-story building. Your desire to grow fast ruined your ability to grow big.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
All of us had on the Superlight Race Gloves...
... with the perforated palms, real leather and device friendly thread.
Did you know...
... it's Buy A Pair, Get A Pair for FREE?
I wear 'em all year long, they're that good.
Anyway, if you're in to Patriotic stuff like me, get a pair for you and a friend.
Note: be sure and order 2 pair, the discount is automatic when you check out.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
166.1
7 hrs (not enough, trying to shift my sleep pattern)
1 cross training
20 minutes recovery
80 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
DO YOU MAKE IT LOOK EASY?
May 30, 2023
by TODD BROWN
THERE I WAS, MOVING QUICKLY UP A STEEP CLIMB through a local neighborhood. The bottom far below and the top nowhere in sight, when a lovely lady said...
... Wow, you make that look easy.
I smiled back and wished her well.
She wasn't flirting with me, I don't think.
But, her assessment wasn't quite accurate.
What she couldn't appreciate was the miles I've logged,
the discipline I've learned to exercise,
the wonderful feelings in my body,
the challenges I've faced,
the skills I've developed.
I wasn't making it look easy...
... I was making it look enjoyable, pleasurable.
And that is all the difference,
why I'm endlessly fascinated with this sport.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
I was wearing these superlight gloves...
... with the perforated palms, real leather and device friendly thread.
Did you know...
... it's Buy A Pair, Get A Pair for FREE?
I wear 'em all year long, they're that good.
Anyway, if you're in to Patriotic stuff like me, get a pair for you and a friend.
Note: be sure and order 2 pair, the discount is automatic when you check out.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
166.6
7.7 hrs
1 cross training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
HOW TO GET PRs WITH RUBBER LEGS
May 29, 2023
by TODD BROWN
WHAT COULD GO WRONG WHEN YOUR PAL, who is already faster, invites you for an easy and lazy holiday spin? Nothing, unless he's noticeably lighter and says...
... We're just gonna cruise up a few hills.
To start, we did something I reallyreallyreally didn't want to do first
Nyes Place.
20% grade.
So steep when the homes were constructed cement trucks were mandated to carry half loads.
I PR'd Nyes, and that was just the beginning of the magic.
Let me tell you how weird this was.
I'd already done the full Cowboy Strong Circuit, plus my legs were still feeling fatigued from Saturday's 80 mile adventure.
Strangely, probably because everybody dropped me on Neyes, I rode that sunnuva climb faster than ever before. I'd only been up it a few times, but still.
Then, I PR'd 2 of the next 3 steep climbs, and got a 3rd fastest on the 2nd of the 4 climbs.
It was just so strange because the remaining 3 climbs seemed so much easier than they ever had before.
Yes, I was huffing and puffing.
Yes, it was a high threshold, nearly anaerobic effort.
Yes, we were regrouping and actually cruising from climb to climb.
But, how could that be?
All these PRs when I'm a lot older?
Maybe the cross training got my muscles firing?
I remember the hearing of the Lakers, in the glory days, hitting the weights before the game.
Maybe it was the nice 45 minute warm up ride over to the climbs?
I do appreciate a good warm up more and more.
Maybe it was the perfect, 60ish degrees and misting.
Maybe it was just physics?
I hadn't done any of these climbs since before I got back into racing and dropped at least 10 pounds.
Maybe it was fitness?
I'm just a lot more committed and fit than I was when Strava first came out.
Maybe it was the bike?
My current road bike is super legit, much more than the bikes I rode for fitness and getting road miles in.
Maybe it was chasing my very fast friends?
There really isn't anything like seeing someone else ahead and tapping into the mental magnet to get pulled along.
It coulda been any one of those, all of those, or some combination.
But, I reallyreallyreally think riding the beast that is Nyes first...
... made everything else seem a whole easier.
Maybe there is something to the Rubber Arm Experiment:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdxlT68ygt8
---
166.6
7.5 hrs
1 cross training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
WHAT TO DO WHEN IT REALLY, REALLY HURTS
May 28, 2023
by TODD BROWN
THE BIKES WENT FLYING EVERYWHERE. It was a spectacular finish line crash, but I suspect that was nothing compared to the pain felt yesterday...
... which must have been overwhelming.
So, what do we do when we're really banged up?
If you watched the last, incredible stage of the Giro today you might have missed it.
- Not the crash
- Not G Thomas' massive pull
- Not Cav's insanely dominant sprint
A couple of kilometers out, I saw something none of the pundits caught.
Did you?
Geraint Thomas began the healing process from what had to be a supremely bitter and painful loss...
... by helping a friend in need.
Go back and watch it.
He' not paid to pull Cav's lead out man, LL Sanchez, but he pulls along side and says Get on my wheel.
Then, Thomas strings out the race at just the right moment, keeping the pace extremely high and making all the other sprinters work very hard to get into position while Cav is cruising in the perfect position.
With 1k to go, the other sprint teams' momentum carries them around Cav and he's perfectly slotted in 10 guys back on the wheel of the guy rocking the Sprinter's jersey.
It couldn't be better,
it wouldn't have been better if Thomas hadn't done a very good deed.
---
165.6
7ish hrs
0 cross training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
SMALL RING, SMALL DETOUR, BIG FUN
May 27, 2023
by TODD BROWN
THERE'S A LOCAL RIDE I'VE DONE A THOUSAND TIMES, which is why I don't do it that much of late. We hit it today because my pal TimmyV texted up...
... I'm outta shape and need a hard ride.
Perfect, CV is a ride he knows well and knows how to get home.
A mile from home, I realized my front derailer was dead. Same as yesterday, only this time I'd charged the battery...
... good thing there's lots of vert, little flat riding.
We picked up Charlie and met about 30 fire breathers, soon we'd be feelin' that burnin' he'd been yearnin' for.
The first little pitch I stretched my legs, looked back and saw a gap.
Hmmm.
I pressed on, made a light they missed.
I coulda waited, but I was really wanting to ride hard and the group didn't seem that interested.
After 8ish minutes, I eased up and waited and waited and waited...
... they were missing all the lights before the canyon.
We all dropped down the corkscrew, leanin' hard and singin' brake pads, pouring out onto the downhill run before blasting up the other side of the canyon.
I was about 7 guys back.
The pace was heating up, finally.
With zero warning, we hit a road closure. Stopped. Trees down. Turned around.
This is where it got fun.
Paralleling the road is a paved stretch through a campground, which turns to dirt for the final 1/2 mile or so.
Surprisingly, only a few of us knew the route.
A few roadies, balked and bailed out.
The rest loved the detour.
Back on the climb up the canyon, things got going again. It felt so good to be sweating, hearing my heavybreathing, watching the leaders ride away over the top...
... reeling them back in by the 120 degree turn at the bottom,
and hanging on.
Ryan, Chase and I opted for the extra credit, 20% pitch over the very top before regrouping with the rest.
Tim's text came through,
I'm done.
Fried.
I'm glad he got me out,
I'm glad I kept going with only the small chain ring.
It was good to see the friends,
good to get pushed hard,
good to test the legs.
When I got home, I saw the most amazing thing...
... the mark of a winner.
Primoz Rogic dropped his chain,
remained calm and put it back on.
Didn't freak out.
Didn't get emotional.
Didn't give up and quit.
That's focus.
---
166
8ish hrs
Push Ups Pull Ups and Squats
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
WANTING A LOT MORE RESULTS IN 2023
May 26, 2023
by TODD BROWN
THERE IS A BIG PRICE TO BE PAID when we have a true A race. It's not the entry fee, the bike upgrades, travel, lodging, food, time off work, time away from family...
... it's a lot more than that.
This is what makes it so hard, and why so many of us fail to accomplish that big A race goal.
The price we must pay is...
... saying NO! to every other race and event and thing we also want to do.
Sure, we'll do other races. Go for PRs. Race our friends to the City Limit signs all year long.
As the great Derek Sivers says in Anything You Want...
... If it ain't Hellyeah! then it's No.
Trust me, I'm battling like hell with this right now.
I had my A week back in March,
that fitness carried through to an exceptional April,
and now we are halfway through a weekly MTB series and it's been a real battle.
I'm burned,
My body is burned,
My MTB is even burned.
But, that competitive bug has bitten and I'm sick with a desire to see if I can manufacture some fitness for the last 4 races...
... then, I'll take a break before building for the next A race.
This could be really dumb and back fire.
If you love racing, which I'm guessing you do since you are reading this post...
... it's one thing to know you need a break, another to take it.
It actually takes courage,
and faith.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-2023
Thanks to Neal F for the photo above...
... it's a progress shot from his 10-Week Challenge, so rad.
(photo credit RVAHUB)
---
165.6
8ish hrs
Push Ups Pull Ups and Squats
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
SOMETHINGS ARE BETTER NOT SAID
May 25, 2023
by TODD BROWN
I RAN INTO A FRIEND OF MINE who asked if I was going back to Leadville this summer. He said he needed to go back because he'd had a major mishap...
... and couldn't let that be his last attempt.
Who wants to end on a low?
Not him.
Not us.
We want to go out on top, whatever that top is.
Here's the weird thing though...
... few of our family and friends can relate to what we want to accomplish.
That's actually not that weird, because our standards are so insanely far above the average adult.
What's weird is the reactions of these friends and family.
The questions they ask, the looks on their faces.
They just don't get it.
I told him I wasn't going back that I needed a break, it's a massive commitment.
You going back?
For sure, can't let last year's flop be my last.
That's cool, I'm stoked you're taking it on again.
I knew you'd understand.
For sure.
It's gotten to the point where I rarely share these adventures and quests because nobody gets it.
I'm right there with you. We do these epic challenges just because we want to, it's our thing.
You know what else?
There's a lesson there, one we all know but...
... might not recognize.
At least I didn't recognize it until recently.
Wanting things magical. Simply wanting something a lot opens up the pathway to making it possible. In our case...
... the training, knowledge and plan.
It all starts by simply wanting to do it, regardless of what everybody else thinks.
We gotta want it.
---
165
7ish hrs
Minimal cross training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
MY SECRET COMBINATION
May 24, 2023
by TODD BROWN
THE THORN JAMMED IN MY THIRD KNUCKLE wasn't bothering me at all during my ride. I could feel it catch as I slid my glove off, which was no big deal. Then I knocked against the counter...
... yeah, I felt that real good.
It was a reminder of how great the day had been.
I'd gotten up early.
Done my morning reading and writing.
Followed by a quick session of cross training.
I settled in at my desk and knocked out some good work.
And finished the day riding single track trails with The Gentleman.
It's amazing how quickly things can be accomplished when the habits are in place.
James Clear, in Atomic Habits, says...
... If you want to do 50 pushups start by doing 5.
Naval Revekant says...
... At the end of the day, we are the combination of our habits and the people we spend the most time with.
To which I'll add...
... If you want to rip on raceday, start riding with purpose and meeting up with faster riders.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-accountability
Did I mention, I'm relaunching this and the price is going up? Join now, and get the current price.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-accountability
---
165
7ish hrs
1 round of cross training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
YOUR CATEGORY LEADER
May 23, 2023
by TODD BROWN
THE ANNOUNCER RAN DOWN THE LIST OF CATEGORY LEADERS, while I unloaded the van.. A few of my friend's names, and of course my frenemy's name...
... stuck out the most.
This is the 4th week of our 8-week series.
Only 6 count.
It's on.
At this point, everybody who has a chance at the series championship has raced at least once. The leaders have all raced 3 races...
... but not everybody has.
And those who have can still toss out 2 races.
In other words, now the fun begins.
My frenemy, Bob, got a coach this year. My coach! Damnit!!...
... maybe I should get back on a formal training plan.
I probably should.
I might.
My A race is still months off...
... I got time.
For now, it's time to see how the weekly MTB race season unfolds. We've had 2 different race winners and a lot of jumbling in the placings.
Each week is gonna have some drama.
The closer we get to race 8, the more the bars will be banging.
---
By the way, how rad was today's final climb of the Giro?!. They only have a few more days of hard climbing...
... it's gonna be epic.
Nobody wants to leave it for the last hilly time trial.
Too risky.
But, sometimes fate has it's say and we just might get down the last day or two with seconds still remaining between the leaders.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-accountability
Can't wait to check in with the club.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-accountability
---
164.5
7ish hrs
0 round of cross training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED?
May 22, 2023
by TODD BROWN
THE FIRST CRIT SERIES I EVER DID made all the difference in the world. Not because it was well run, or fancy, or challenging, or had any fans at all...
... it was the opposite.
The amount of blood I shed on the second race still stains my memory.
Who would go back to that week after week?
Me.
Here's why.
The race was put on by the college ski coach, to help his athletes stay in shape. They raced the B race. The actually racers did the A...
... newbs like me the C.
Like all asphalt-roots crits, this one was staged in an out of the way place...
... the giant, aging football stadium parking lot.
It was more packed gravel than pavement in spots, particularly the the turn I slid out in.
I didn't care.
Only 10 guys lined up.
None of us knew what we were doing.
Most of us placed, and occasionally won on a hot summer night.
I was hooked.
I hadn't won anything sporty to speak of since grade school...
... I was a very, very, very late bloomer.
Finally, I'd bloomed and found something I was good at.
But, what if first race was a legit California crit as a Cat IV?
150+ racers on the line was common back then.
The speeds seemed insane.
It's hard to imagine surviving a few laps.
Nope, I needed Bobby Bills and his girlfriend telling us to Go!,
Holding their silly posters with laps remaining,
The ensuing squabble over who won.
No photos or video,
No race numbers on our back,
No friends or family or spectators of any sort.
A handful of athletes...
... tasting victory for the very first time.
That's often all it takes to find a whole new world of adventure and the pursuit of personal excellence.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-accountability
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-accountability
---
165.9
7.5 hrs
1 round of cross training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
THE BEST SUPPORT MONEY CAN'T BUY
May 21, 2023
by TODD BROWN
I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO WANTS YOU TO RIP ON RACEDAY, there are a whole lotta people pulling for you. But, sometimes it feels like we're...
... grinding up hill with a headwind.
Why?
Because we aren't using our calendars properly.
We have 'em.
Sometimes fill 'em out.
Completely neglect the most important parts.
Here's how I do it, and it's improved every relationship I have and given me superior support on my A race...
- Pencil in the A race, the sooner the better.
- Show it to your important relationships - family and work for sure.
- Add the the family and work dates in pen to your calendar.
... then go back and fill in your A race in pen - I like a fat, red Sharpie.
Share your calendar with all that matter, often.
Here's how to screw it up...
- don't share the A race until it's a few weeks or months away
- don't consider other events your supporters deem important
- only have your A race on the calendar
Can I share a little story?
Here's how I set up my A race in 2022.
- I put it on the calendar 3 years out.
- I blocked out time to take Surfergirl on a surf trip to Mexico months prior to my A race.
- I made sure to get to every family and work event I could.
You know how you want your loved ones and friends to crush it at their thing?
They want the same for you...
... the calendar and caption above are a perfect example.
Pro tip: check out their calendar, figure out a way to be there for them.
Bonus: if your calendar and goals aren't freaking you out, raise your standards. A lot.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-accountability
I'm in the process of dramatically upgrading the accountability club.
The price is also going to increase.
Those who join prior to the upgrade will be grandfathered in.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-accountability
---
164.8
8+ hrs terrible tossing and turning, too excited?
No cross training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
SYNCHRONIZED SPRINTING FOR THE BURRITO
May 20, 2023
by TODD BROWN
MY PLAN WAS TO MAKE THE RIDE HARD. When I found the Gambler and the Hulk loading up on caffeine at the corner bakery ...
... my little heart skipped a beat.
Then 1 X Beard, Captain Smith, along with the regulars and some cat named Nico pulled up.
Hellyeah!
This was gonna give me a real read on my new favorite segment.
... how fast can we do it?
Like the young buck I'm not, I started firing. At Jeffery and Alton, The Hulk hit it so hard, only 1 X Beard and I latched on, trying to get through the next light about a half mile away...
... so began the synchronized sprinting.
We barely missed it.
Red light!
Regroup.
Green light!
Over the freeway,
through the first round about,
1 X Beard, Hulk and I were swinging.
Red light!
Regroup.
Green light!
Up a little hill,
through the second, faster roundabout.
The three of us are gone again.
Charging to make every light we can,
pulling through hard...
... I gotta skip a pull.
Okay.
These guys are a little bigger, and I hung on over the freeway which felt like an alp.
Rotating,
Pulling.
Red light!
The Gambler and Nico catch.
Green light!
The next climb up Tesla...
... my batteries are shot.
Hulk, 1 x Beard
gone.
Nico
in between.
Gambler,
on my wheel.
It hurts so flipping bad.
What should be a 2.3 minute power climb,
ends up being a too dang close to 3 minutes.
We catch Nico.
Quick rotations.
Somehow, the idiot who wanted to make the ride hard,
the fool who thought he was a young buck,
pulled to the next short climb.
We're closing.
All 3 of us out of the saddle.
One of us off the back.
Dadgummit!
There's a shortcut.
I scoff and chase onward.
On Church Hill
i can see 'em.
Then I see the shortcutters.
All together over the top for the long, long drop to the coast.
Captain Smith waits,
friends!
We pedal like hell.
There are lights coming up.
Synchronized sprinting?
No luck.
But, we are making the lights too...
... at the last light before the 4ish miles to Laguna, we catch.
Red light!
Regroup.
Green light!
We're in the mid-30s, rotating strong.
This is just what I had hoped for.
Captain Smith and I head South,
they head North.
Only 3 miles and 1000' to go...
... For The Burrito!
It took us 1:07.
Can we break an hour?
First person who does, the burrito is on me.
---
163.6
6.8 hrs terrible tossing and turning, too excited?
Just PushUps and PullUps and a few Squats today.
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
TALK ABOUT BLOWING AWAY A PR
May 19, 2023
by TODD BROWN
LAST NIGHT'S PODCAST WAS A GOOD ONE. My scheduled guest had to bail due to emergency surgery. Luckily I had a PRO MTB racer...
... and he had a very clear lesson.
The thing about the podcast interviews is they always bring something neither of us were thinking of to the surface.
This dude is a total stud.
- Outstanding husband and father of 3
- 2-Time winner of Leadville
- National MTB Champion
- Founder of Rouleur Development
2 things stuck in my mind, which you might relate to.
- His 20-year quest to qualify for MTB Worlds
- Obliterating a difficult PR
I knew he'd represented the US at MTB Worlds in Switzerland. What I didn't know was that as a Junior, age 17, he was half a point away from going to Worlds...
... how heartbreaking would that be?
Someone would quit.
Many do.
At 40, he was in the best shape of his life. One a bunch of races, got the points and fulfilled his dream to carry our flag on the world stage.
His son is now beating him, and his next quest is to hang on to his pro status so...
... they can race pro together.
In the meantime, he's taken up Hard Enduro motorcycle racing. If you don't know what that is, it is by far the most difficult and challenging offroad racing on the planet: https://youtu.be/pD5qc9aAB4w
2 years ago, when he got into the sport, he found a terrible 1 mile climb. It took him and a buddy 2 hours to get to the top...
... this week he did it in under 7 minutes!
Bryson, how did you do that?
Well... the same way I won Leadville and went to World's, I kept at it.
Anything else?
I entered and trained for 5 Hard Enduros.
That's it?
I also found a new group of people to ride with that taught me so much I could never learn on my own.
Sound familiar?
- Practice
- Enter hard races
- Ride with better riders
That's Bryson Perry's raceday ripping, pr crushing formula.
Here's the link to the actual podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/raceday-ready-with-todd-b
---
164.6
8.2 hrs
Just PushUps and PullUps today.
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
WHAT'S MORE COMPELLING... RIPPING OR CRUSHING?
May 18, 2023
by TODD BROWN
BECAUSE MY 10-WEEK CHALLENGE has been incredibly successful in terms of downloads and attempts and an...
... utter failure at people finishing...
... I'm going to do a 5-Day Challenge.
To get the name right, I texted 60 or so of my friends a question:
Which is more compelling: Crush Your PRs or Rip On RaceDay?
The answers were almost a 50/50 split, with a slight lean towards Rip On RaceDay.
Of those, 50% were a quick answer and 50% quite thoughtful.
Some people had a lot to say, but I think the winner was Cameron Hoffman...
... Crush your PRs is worn out.
Before you tell me what matters more to you, and I do hope you'll reply and let me know...
... here are my thoughts.
PRs are such a good measure for our personal progress and readiness for racing. In a world of tailwind assits, ebikes, and questionable supplement choices it can be hard to win a race or snag a KOM segment. Only we know if it's a legit PR.
Winning is not the goal of racing for me. Yes, I definitely like to win and place well and climb the podium. But, if I didn't have to go all out because I registered in an unchallenging category or few if any participated it can be a truly hollow victory.
Ripping On RaceDay is the win for me. Making a plan, working out the details and through the many challenges, arriving at the start line absolutely ready to rip and then racing hard start to finish...
... that is what compels me the most.
As I'm writing this, my former t-shirt biz partner, Damion Hickman, votes for PRs with this...
... #PRCRUSHER.
Now I'm swayed right back to Crushing PRs because that sounds so cool...
... we'll have to make that tshirt.
Maybe we gotta go Johnny Cash at this point...
... PR Crushing, RaceDay Ripping, Sunuvagun!
How about you?
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/start-a-project
One of the most fun things I do is create a custom kit for the biggest A races. It's such a fun process. That jersey up at the top is one I'm working on for Nationals. I added a fiery look, because I want to be on fire for that race.
Did you know we have No MInimums for custom orders, and the designs are free?
Crazy, I know...
... but, I'm crazy about helping you Rip and Crush!
Creating custom gear is the best gift you will ever give your...
... PR Crushing, RaceDay Ripping Self.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/start-a-project
---
165.4
8 hrs
Just PushUps and PullUps today.
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
BLOODIED AND SCARRED
May 17, 2023
by TODD BROWN
MY GLOVES TOLD THE ENTIRE STORY. Once white and pristine, they were now covered with the stains of battle...
... will they ever be the same?
My shins and forearms weren't much better. A thousand little tears received as...
... we tore through the wildly overgrown trails.
Thistles and nettles pricking and stinging.
This is real.
Physical.
Fun.
The blood and weed stains are the proof we are alive and well. Screw the encroaching digital world...
... and its isolation and safety.
We want adventure,
and challenge,
and danger.
We need this,
it bonds us together,
strengthens our humanity.
The best part is we are fit enough to love it!
MY GLOVES TOLD THE ENTIRE STORY. Once white and pristine, they were now covered with the stains of battle...
... will they ever be the same?
My shins and forearms weren't much better. A thousand little tears received as...
... we tore through the wildly overgrown trails.
Thistles and nettles pricking and stinging.
This is real.
Physical.
Fun.
The blood and weed stains are the proof we are alive and well. Screw the encroaching digital world...
... and its isolation and safety.
We want adventure,
and challenge,
and danger.
We need this,
it bonds us together,
strengthens our humanity.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
Good thing we have a Buy One Pair Get One Pair glove offer going...
... those little stitches across the forefinger are heat sensitive so we can operate our devices with gloves on.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
165.4
8 hrs
1 Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
THE BEATER RESULTS ARE IN
May 16, 2023
by TODD BROWN
RACED THE BEATER TONIGHT. It was rough. According to Starva, I worked significantly harder than previous two races. According to the race results...
... I got smoked, again.
This is going to be a fun nut to try to crack.
There are 5 more races.
5 more chances to figure out what the heck is going on.
5 more weeks to get my race bike back in racing condition.
But, I really don't think it's the bike.
The guys are all riding really well.
We had two new guys show up this week, and the Coxy, who's been beating us, skipped.
Emilio won. For those of you keeping score at home, Emilio is my pal who I desperately managed to hold off for 2nd at the state road race last month.
Look at his lap times.
That's crazy, right!...
... how did he dose his effort so perfectly?
Compare that to mine.
Clearly, I cracked on the 2nd lap.
I passed 4th place on the first lap, then he passed me back and put a minute and half into me. Had to cheer him on...
... he's also named Todd.
What am I gonna do between this week and next?
- Order the parts to fix the race bike, but doubt they'll get here in time.
- Try and drop some of the extra pounds I'm carrying.
- Get in one more hard ride Saturday.
- Recover, recover, recover.
Anything else?
- See what moving parts can be improved on the beater.
- Maybe throw on some new tires.
Is that it?
- I'm tempted to cut out the daily cross training for the remaining weeks.
---
165.4
8 hrs
1 Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
BUSTING OUT THE BEATER
May 15, 2023
by TODD BROWN
TOMORROW IS GONNA BE INTERESTING. I'll be doing the local race on the bike I spend the most time on...
... I consider it my beater.
Not only do I do most of my training on it,
but I loan it out when someone comes to visit,
and, I haven't done a lick of maintenance on it in months.
Why do I ride it the most?
Because it's oldish,
identical fit to my race bike,
and ridiculously reliable day after day.
Why race it?
Well, the race bike's suspension is wonky and in need of love.
Here's the interesting thing though.
Is the ol' bike really a beater or have I just treated it like one?
In its day it was top of the top,
lots of carbon and tech,
super light.
It's lighter than my current race bike,
shifts as good as or better than the electric stuff,
and has a fork that is so plush I still giggle when it gets rough.
Ya know what I'm gonna have to do, right?
Convince myself this is fastest dern bike I own.
Which reminds me about the second chapter in my book, The Way of The Racer...
... All You Can Do.
All we can do is enough...
... not a haul pass to complain or make excuses.
---
165.4
8 hrs
1 Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
HOW TO DO MAINTENANCE MODE
May 14, 2023
by TODD BROWN
WHETHER MY NEXT A RACE IS IN 6 MONTHS OR 6 YEARS, this is my maintenance mode. It's tried and true...
... and might be good for you.
Because here's the deal.
We can't race all the time.
Can't be always on.
Gotta rest.
Here's my formula for successful maintenance:
- Know what the next A race, or could be.
- Ride hard twice a week.
- Do other stuff.
Knowing what the next A race, however far off, is a powerful motivator to maintain our good habits we practice when we really want to preform well.
We might drift off course from time to time,
but we always come back because that big challenge is out there.
Riding hard twice a week is simple enough in concept. It can be difficult to do alone. The best way I've found is to have a group to ride with on those big effort days.
For sure somebody in that group has an upcoming A race,
and their energy will get us to regularly push ourselves.
There are lots of other activities I enjoy that compliment riding and racing. Most of them involve family and friends, and it's great to connect more often and deeply than I might when living the A race life.
During maintenance mode the ride time often fluctuates wildly. Long days when there's time, short days or skipping days when time is short. Often, it's just a matter of taking a mental break that necessitates this...
... lack of a regimen.
I've gone years between A races, but I've always had something big out there...
... haunting me to stay fit and healthy.
When is your next A race/event/challenge?
Who is pushing you twice a week?
What can you add?
---
164.9
8.5 hrs
0 Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
THIS STEEPLE IS STEEPED IN STEPPING TRADITION
May 13, 2023
by TODD BROWN
SHOULD WE BOW TO THE CLIMBING GODS on bended knee, or just admit they've broken our legs and will to ride, with ease? Like we have a choice!...
... when it gets truly steep.
To honor the Giro, some of the pitches I battled on a stair-stepping climb today were 24%.
On a stunning 1.3 mile ascent, my pace was pathetic compared to our local pro young Kevin, who rides for DSM.
- He averaged 10.9 mph
- Me, 6.9 mph
- Him 7:34
- Me 11:54
I was well off my PR from 4 years ago, 8.9 mph and 9:14.
Which is great news.
Why?
Because today's route was beautiful and extremely satisfying in every way.
Here's the link: https://www.strava.com/activities/9065838378/segments/3092547893762368880
It had everything...
- Nice warm up
- Some spirited group riding
- 3 Epic climbs
... and the best breakfast burrito I've ever had. Kudos to High Tide for upping their burrito game.
Now I have something to work on for the next few months.
- Dropping my times on the 3 big climbs
That's gonna be really fun to work on.
I'm not sure I'll PR any of them...
- The first one I PRd on a group ride 4 years ago. It's fast enough to make drafting matter.
- The second one I hit after the spirited group ride portion, 2.5 hours in, and PRd 4 years ago.
- The third one... see previous 2, I did PR it today but I've only been up it 3 times as it's a recent discovery.
... I won't ever be a climbing god,
but, I'll definitely be idolizing their gifts to ascend.
---
Time to commit to the RaceDay Ready regimen.
---
165.6
7 hrs
0 Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
WEIGHT JUST A MINUTE
May 12, 2023
by TODD BROWN
YES, I WEIGH MYSELF DAILY. I have for years, and I record it as well. It's such a great way for immediate feedback on what was consumed the day before...
... however, there is a problem.
Weight isn't everything.
Yes, I need to shed all the ballast if I'm going to climb well.
My body always changes, when I gain control of my mouth and truly live by RaceDay Ready.
But, lately my weight is up a bit.
Should I care?
Maybe.
If my body fat is up, then yes.
If it's not, or if it's lower, then probably not.
How to know the difference?
There's the simplistic Do these pants make me look fat? test.
It's simple.
I put on the skinny jeans and if there's a muffin top, we gotta problem.
If the waist is same or looser then it probably means I put on muscle.
Another home test is using a scale that measures body fat.
Generally, they are consistently inaccurate. Meaning I don't think the percentage shown would match up with a legit pro body composition measurement, but I do think it's consistent. While it might say 18%, like today, which I think is high, I think it will be consistently high as long as I...
- weigh myself first thing each morning
- drink about the same amount of liquid each day
... then I can use it to track progress.
Capeesh?
So, do I care I'm up a bit.
Yes, on the surface it bugs me.
That said, I am on a very long-term goal 9 years out. My goal is to be as strong then as I am now. To do that, I'll probably put on more muscle than I'd normally carry because of all the additional strength work I've added to my regimen.
Also,
the skinny jeans are looking good
and the arm sleeves are fitting tight.
Nothing wrong with that.
---
165.1
8 hrs
1 Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
THE SPEED OF THE PELOTON
May 11, 2023
by TODD BROWN
FOR ALL OUR HUBRIS OF BEING THE BEST OF THIS OR THAT, it really just comes down to our peloton...
... who we ride with matters.
We can choose the peloton,
we not the effects.
We've all been on a blistering group ride, traveling the same route we have ridden either alone or with a different group...
... and blown away our PRs.
Keep riding with the those cats and we often go from hanging on,
to regularly pulling through,
to winning the sprint.
The peloton's speed and effects aren't accidental,
riding with them is a choice.
Choose wisely.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dirt-dad-fund-store
The picture above is from the DIRT Dad Fund.
Dads
Indoors
Riding
Trainers
These dads Zwift together all year long...
... that's their peloton to stay in shape.
20% of every purchase goes directly to the fund to help the less fortunate members of the peloton.
Click the image to check out some of their gear.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dirt-dad-fund-store
---
164.6
8 hrs
.5 Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
OH, THERE'S MY LYCRA
May 10, 2023
by TODD BROWN
GOT MY LYCRA HANDED TO ME LAST NIGHT. The course was nearly identical to the week before, Strava says my little ol' heart was ticking harder than last week's race...
... so, like any fool, I checked to see if my brakes were rubbing!
I mean jeeeeez... my splits were slower, and I was 3 min behind the winner and 2 min behind guys I'd battled the week before.
Whattheheck happened?
The weather was perfect for racing, overcast and cool. Same as week before.
There's a ton of data to dig through on Strava and other places...
- Freshness/Fitness
- Training time
- Effort distribution
- Weight
- Sleep
- Food
- Stress
... here goes:
Stress, I've had to decline some opportunities to give service and time lately and it was stressful to say no.
Food, I definitely cut my calories to get back to race weight last week... and skipping breakfast on raceay was a bozo nono.
Sleep, has been way off. Getting a decent amount, but staying up too late.
Weight, I'm down 2 lbs from last week, maybe too much too fast.
Effort, last week, I went out Thursday and drilled it again then went long on Saturday.
Training time, last week was about double the hours from the week before but less than I was doing a year ago.
Fitness/Freshness, this is the biggie... and a big change from this time last year.
Monday 5/8/23 Fitness 108, Form 19
Monday 5/1/23 Fitness 108, Form 27
Monday 5/9/22 Fitness 127, Form -8
I was definitely in a better place a week ago than this week, and it showed.
What is interesting to me is that my Fitness was quite a bit higher last year and my Form lower, but I was racing better
Let's see what happens in the coming weeks as I get back to last year's training during this series...
... hard race Tuesday,
long Zone 2 and 3 Saturday,
all the other days are Zone 1 and 2.
---
163.2
8 hrs
1 Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
NO MORE STUPID GOALS
May 09, 2023
by TODD BROWN
I HAVE A HABIT OF SETTING STUPID GOALS. There is a big difference between stupid and audacious, but sometimes I forget...
... how about you?
It's a problem for me.
And, I blame it on the bike.
Because I have set many audacious goals over the years and accomplished them it's easy to fall into a trap by simply neglecting two key differentiators.
- Believability
- Highly desirable
Without that, the goals are just stupid at best...
... defeating at worst.
Why do I blame the bike?
To be clear, the bike has helped in both stupid and audacious goal setting.
Specific audacious examples:
- Race Baja 500
- Get kids successfully into adulthood
Not only did I believe those goals were possible, I desperately wanted to see it through.
Now, for some stupid ones:
- Double sales in 12 months
- Purchase a remote vacation cabin
These weren't goals in my soul, they were more like goals I was supposed to go for...
... because of some book I read,
or magazine article,
or guru.
Therefore, stupid...
... and doomed to failure.
Let me be clear, there is nothing wrong with most goals. Nor, do I think it's bad to set goals. But, if we don't believe they are attainable and we don't really have a burning desire...
... they are worthless, and in many cases defeating.
The filter for my goals is:
- Believability
- Highly desirable
---
162.6
7.5 hrs
0 Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
DO YOU HAVE FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES LIKE MINE?
May 08, 2023
by TODD BROWN
HAD A CHANCE TO CATCH UP WITH MY FRIEND KENT TONIGHT, and boy was it enlightening and confirming. He's a multi-time national champ...
... from high school right on up to the Senior Games.
Gold medals to prove it.
Funny thing is we'd never compared training notes.
Probably because he's a world-class Volleyball Player and we didn't considered ourselves to have much in common...
... he had a 40" vertical leap, I had an okay sprint.
Anyway, we have a lot in common now.
Not with sports, with age and how to preserve our health and be competitive.
For reference, his team is comprised of an average age of 65, and they still compete in the 50's.
Legit.
Turns out we're doing almost the identical regimen.
- Lift weights daily
- Stretch daily
- Eat whole foods
- Stay away from bread and sugar
- Hypervolt and Hyperice
He probably stretches more than I do, and for sure he warms up more than I do...
... he's doing very explosive moves.
- Box jumps, on and off
- Playing tennis
- Running hard
Funny thing.
He got all geeked up when I told him about the sled.
You got a sled?
Yeah.
They're so expensive.
I know, but worth it for all the activation in my ankles.
Where do you do it?
Right on my street, confirms to my neighbors how weird I am.
Ok, I'm getting it.
Get this one from Freak Athlete.
I guess the moral of the story is this...
- keep challenging yourself
- keep signing up for the races
... stay strong.
---
164.6
7 hrs
1 Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery
70 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
SERIESLY RACING
May 07, 2023
by TODD BROWN
ROLLING INTO THE SECOND WEEK IN MAY and most of the SoCal racing is done or nearing done. Road races, mostly done. MTB races, winding down. Gravel, kinda done...
... but there is a phenomenon.
The race series.
Some of the series are wrapping up, and some are just getting started.
One thing I've noticed, the race series seem to be doing pretty well.
- Lots of racers
- Lots of spectators.
From a business perspective, the various series going on seem to be taking a page out the the ski industries marketing book.
- Give 'em a deal
- Let 'em race a lot
- Take all their money
When that happens, there isn't a lot of energy or time or resources left to do other races.
I can see the series thing continuing to grow and the lone races continuing to shrink.
Is this a good thing?
I dunno.
Among the many positives is those who commit to do the entire series end up belonging to a community vs just doing a rando race. I actually think this is really good. We need to connect more, not less...
... not just the racers,
but the families and
the sponsors.
As athlete's, it's challenging to have an A series vs an A event.
I was thinking about this while listening to the Giro commentators discussing whether or not Evenepoel came in to the first stage too hot and he'll fade in the 3rd week. Or, will he build such a big lead it won't matter.
We kinda get to face that challenge if it's a weekly series, not so much if we race on a monthly basis.
Either way, it's a challenge to figure how to stay fresh and still stay fast.
I like it.
Do you?
---
162.8
8 hrs
1 Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
CHOPPING WOOD AND ZONE 2 TRAINING
May 06, 2023
by TODD BROWN
COMMITTING TO ZONE 2 TRAINING HAS SOME LIMITATIONS AND BENEFITS. For example, it's hard to find a training partner who's zone 2 will match up, which means...
... we have plenty of alone time.
How to use that wisely?
Personally, I use to listen to podcasts or books while spinning along.
Not any more.
I prefer unplugged riding...
- My brain needs a rest
- Outside has many wonderful sounds
- All the better to hear any encroaching danger.
... because it reminds of the great Rocky IV training montage.
Not the wood chopping
running in snow
rock throwing.
Those scenes are epic, but for me it's what is going on inside Rocky's head.
While he's laying all the epic base strength...
... he's thinking.
How is he going to demolish Drago?
And, as the great Tony Robbins points out....
... the quality of the questions determine the quality of the answers.
Somewhere in all that crazy non-traditional and very raw prep Rocky finds his answer...
... maybe it's the scene where he chops down the giant tree?
That doesn't really matter.
What matters is what are we thinking about on these long Zone 2 rides?
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164
7.75 hrs
0 Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
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